The Latest: Mayor resignation for racist post reply accepted

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Latest on the fallout from a racist comment about first lady Michelle Obama that a local West Virginia official posted on Facebook (all times local):

5:10 p.m.

The Clay, West Virginia, Town Council has accepted the resignation of Mayor Beverly Whaling over her response to a racist post on Facebook about first lady Michelle Obama.

The council accepted Whaling’s resignation Tuesday without voting on the matter and said they plan to move quickly to name a replacement for the remaining three years of her term.

Council member Jason Hubbard issued a brief statement condemning the “horrific” post and said “racial intolerance isn’t what this community is about.” He apologized on behalf of the town to anyone who is offended, including Michelle Obama.

Whaling earlier apologized for her response to a post made by Clay County Development Corp. director Pamela Ramsey Taylor after Republican Donald Trump’s election as president. Taylor’s post said, “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels.”

Whaling responded: “Just made my day Pam.”

Whaling said earlier she isn’t racist. Taylor hasn’t returned a call seeking comment.

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4:30 p.m.

The town recorder in Clay, West Virginia, says the mayor has resigned following her response to a racist post on Facebook about first lady Michelle Obama.

Joe Coleman said Tuesday that Mayor Beverly Whaling’s resignation is effective immediately.

Whaling earlier apologized for her response to a post made by Clay County Development Corp. director Pamela Ramsey Taylor after Republican Donald Trump’s election as president. Taylor’s post said, “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels.”

Whaling responded: “Just made my day Pam.”

Whaling said earlier she isn’t racist. Taylor hasn’t returned a call seeking comment.

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11:15 a.m.

The mayor of a West Virginia town has issued an apology for her response to a racist post on Facebook about first lady Michelle Obama.

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling says her comment wasn’t intended to be racist.

Clay County Development Corp. director Pamela Ramsey Taylor made the post following Republican Donald Trump’s election as president, saying: “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels.”

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling responded: “Just made my day Pam.”

Whaling said in a statement sent to news media that she was referencing the change in the White House. She says she isn’t racist.

Taylor did not return a call seeking comment.

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8:20 a.m.

A local West Virginia official said she has been placed on leave after she made a racist post on Facebook about first lady Michelle Obama.

Clay County Development Corp. director Pamela Ramsey Taylor made the post following Republican Donald Trump’s election as president, saying: “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House. I’m tired of seeing a Ape in heels.”

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling responded: “Just made my day Pam.”

Taylor told WCHS-TV on Monday night that she was put on leave.

Clay’s town council planned to discuss the issue at a previously scheduled meeting Tuesday evening.

The post, first reported by WSAZ-TV, has caused a backlash and prompted calls for Taylor and Mayor Whaling to be fired. The post was shared hundreds of times on social media before it was deleted. The Facebook pages of Taylor and Whaling couldn’t be found Monday.