Actor Val Kilmer issued an apology statement and says he’s sorry in hopes people will forgive his negative comments about New Mexican citizens in his county. In 2003 and 2005, Val Kilmer supposedly made controversial statements about his neighbors and veterans in Rolling Stone and Esquire.

Kilmer, 50, wants to renovate part of his property and make it into an upscale BNB, the community feels that he should make things right with the people of New Mexico. All seemed fine until his fellow New Mexican’s demanded an apology before he could proceed at a town meeting. So that is exactly what the actor did.

During an interview with Rolling Stone and Esquire, Kilmer made remarks about his fellow New Mexician’s. He called them “the homicide capital of the Southwest” and proclaiming that “80 percent of the people in my county are drunk.” While asking for forgiveness he stated, “I can only ask that you view my apology as a stepping-stone toward repairing this misunderstanding between us.” Additionally he stated, “I’d just like to say from my heart that I love it here.”

After Kilmer’s heart felt plead, the six commissioners unanimously approved his application to rent out rooms on his New Mexico ranch. However, some of the neighbors following the lead of the civil rights activist group Abran Tapia, still seem to be unsatisfied with the actor’s apology. Abran Tapia members told the media that people are still hurt by Val Kilmer’s comments on New Mexico.