MAYOR OF CLAY, WEST VIRGINIA RESIGNS FOLLOWING RACIST FACEBOOK COMMENT ON MICHELLE OBAMA

Former Mayor Beverly Whaley

The mayor of Clay, West Virginia, has resigned and another county official is out following their exchange over a racist Facebook post that compared first lady Michelle Obama to an "ape in heels."

Pamela Taylor

The county employee, Pamela Taylor, worked as director of the Clay County Development Corporation and wrote on Facebook: "It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House. I'm tired of seeing a (sic) Ape in heels," according to a screengrab obtained by CNN affiliate WSAZ.

Mayor Beverly Whaling commented on the post saying: "Just made my day Pam," the screengrab shows.

Clay County Commissioner Greg Fitzwater confirmed to CNN that Whaling resigned, but did not know if Taylor was terminated or resigned her post. But he said that she was no longer working for the county.

CNN has attempted to reach both Whaling and Taylor for comment and have not heard back.

Former Clay Mayor Beverly Whaley did not show up Tuesday evening as council members voted to accept her resignation.

Whaley however apologized in a statement sent Monday to The Washington Post, writing: “My comment was not intended to be racist at all. I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I’m not of any way racist!"

Despite a Town Hall packed with reporters and a few protesters Monday evening, the meeting itself lasted less than 10 minutes.

Clay Councilman Jason Hubbard said, "I'd like to apologize to anyone who was offended and most certainly the First Lady. I'm sorry that this happened."

He went on to say, "The Town Council would like to condemn the horrible and indecent post that is the center of the controversy. This post is an individual and isolated act. This kind of racial intolerance is not what this community is about."

Michelle Obama

Earlier Tuesday, The West Virginia Democratic Party released this apology to First Lady Obama:

“On behalf of my fellow Mountaineers I would like extend my sincerest apologies to First Lady Michelle Obama. West Virginia truly is better than this. These radical, hateful, and racist ideals are exactly what we at the West Virginia Democratic Party will continue to fight against. These words and actions do not represent West Virginia values. We will continue to fight for a West Virginia that is inclusive, not divisive and a home for all to feel safe, welcome, and protected. In a time when we are at a crossroads and many fear the future we must stand together against hate of all forms.”

------WSAZ