Tag: Clay County Development

Officials Look into Group's Finances after Racist Obama Post

West Virginia officials are investigating finances at a nonprofit group whose director came under fire after making a racist comment about first lady Michelle Obama on Facebook.

News outlets report state Bureau of Senior Services and Appalachian Area Agency on Aging officials visited the Clay County Development Corporation Wednesday to meet employees.

Commission of Senior Services Robert Roswall says the visit involved potential violations of the state’s contract with the center, whose director, Pamela Ramsey Taylor, was suspended after making the post following Trump’s election. Taylor is scheduled to return to work Dec. 23.

Roswall says Wednesday’s visit wasn’t related to Taylor’s employment status or her social media comments.

The Clay County organization provides services to elderly and low-income residents. It’s funded through state and federal grants and local fees.

Tomblin: Clay Development Corp. Contracts Under Review in Wake of Racist Comment

News that the director of a West Virginia nonprofit group who was placed on leave after making a racist comment about first lady Michelle Obama on Facebook plans to return to her job this month has caused swift reaction from the governor’s office.

Clay County Development director Pamela Ramsey Taylor made the post following Donald Trump’s election, calling Mrs. Obama an “Ape in heels.”

She was on suspension but will report back to work on December 23. 

A statement from Governor Tomblin’s office says the State of West Virginia vehemently opposes any discriminatory and harassing sentiments, language or actions. Two state agencies – the Bureau for Medical Services at the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Bureau of Senior Services – have contracts with the Clay Development Corporation and that as a result of the comments made by Taylor, those contracts will be reviewed.  The nonprofit provides services to elderly and low-income residents in Clay County. It is funded through state and federal grants and local fees.

The governor’s office has also asked the board of directors of the center for copies of the Corporation’s affirmative action plan and anti-discrimination policies and practices and how employees have been trained on these policies. 

Official Suspended after Racist Obama Post to Return to Job

The director of a West Virginia nonprofit group who was placed on leave after making a racist comment about first lady Michelle Obama on Facebook plans to return to her job this month.

Clay County Development director Pamela Ramsey Taylor made the post following Trump’s election, 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.”

The Charleston-Gazette reports a letter from the agency’s acting director Leslie McGlothin to the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services says Taylor is on suspension and scheduled to return to work Dec. 23.

The nonprofit provides services to elderly and low-income residents in Clay County. It is funded through state and federal grants and local fees.

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