West Virginia official on leave after racist Michelle Obama post

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP/FOX 11) - 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, who has been placed on leave, did not return a call seeking comment.

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.

Copyright 2016 FOX 11 Los Angeles : Download our mobile app for breaking news alerts or to watch FOX 11 News | Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube . Be a citizen journalist for FOX 11 and get paid - download the Fresco News App today.