ORTONVILLE — The Big Stone County Republican Party chairman who posted some inflammatory comments about Muslims on Facebook has been fired from his hardware store job.

The owners of Hardware Hank in Ortonville say Jack Whitley brought shame to the community and their business and that bigotry won’t be tolerated.

Whitley issued a “call to arms” against Muslims, calling them “terrorists” and “parasites.” Whitley says the comments were on his personal Facebook page and have nothing to do with the GOP. Whether he loses his party leadership position is still up in the air. The Star Tribune reports he would have to be removed by local party members.

Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Keith Downey and the state party’s executive committee have also strongly condemned Whitley’s anti-Muslim posting.