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'Ape in Heels': West Virginia Mayor Resigns After Liking Racist Facebook Post

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling has resigned from her position after her comment on a racist Facebook post about Michelle Obama made national headlines Monday, according to a town council member.

By Ali Schmitz

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling has resigned from her position after her comment on a racist Facebook post about Michelle Obama made national headlines Monday, according to a town council member.

Jason Hubbard, a town council member for Clay, said Whaling resigned from her position Tuesday.

Pamela Ramsey Taylor, former Executive Director of the Clay Development Corporation, referred to the first lady as an "ape in heels" in the Facebook post. A person who answered the phone at the Clay Development Corporation Tuesday said Taylor has been permanently removed from her post.

Clay Mayor Beverly Whaling commented on the post soon after, saying, "Just made my day Pam."

Hubbard says the comments made do not reflect the town of Clay or Clay County.

"We are a hopeful, helpful, and empathetic community made of all walks of life."

Neither Taylor nor Whaling could be reached for comment Tuesday.

A previously-scheduled town council meeting will still be held tonight in Clay at 5.

The Clay Development Corp. is a non-profit that provides healthcare and social assistance to elderly and low-income residents of the area. It received more than $360,000 in government grants in 2014, according to income tax filings.

The organization employs 192 people. Taylor, who served as executive director of the organization, made nearly $83,000 in 2014.

Clay has a population of 468, according to 2013 statistics from the U.S. Census.

(c)2016 The Charleston Gazette (Charleston, W.Va.)

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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