LEELANAU COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- The Leelanau County Road Commission has sent a letter to Road Commissioner Tom Eckerle asking him to resign following his alleged use of a racial slur prior to the commission’s August 4 meeting.

“We will not tolerate any kind of racism in our meeting room or in our organization,” the letter states. “This behavior has had a serious effect on our excellent Road Commission, and we are asking that you resign immediately.”

State Rep. Jack O’Malley released a statement in regard to the alleged situation, also calling for Eckerle’s resignation:

“After speaking with a number of individuals in the district today, I must say that I am shocked and disappointed to hear of the comments that were made by Leelanau County Road Commissioner Tom Eckerle before a recent road commission meeting. I called Mr. Eckerle to confirm he made these comments. He confirmed that he did. This type of racial slur is flat-out unacceptable and ignorant. I asked Mr. Eckerle to resign his position as road commissioner in light of these comments and shall he refuse, the citizens of Leelanau County have every right to recall him from office," O'Malley said. "It saddens me to have to even make this statement.”

A public official in Leelanau County acknowledges that he used the N-word before a public meeting this week.

Road Commissioner Tom Eckerle is facing backlash after saying the racial epithet in what he thought was a private conversation before the regular road commission meeting began on Tuesday.

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Asked if he regretted saying the N-word, he doubled down.

“No, I don’t regret calling it an n----r,” Eckerle said. “A n----r is a n----r is a n----r. That’s not a person whatsoever.”

He went on to say it was the same as saying he was German, or “Polack.”

“No, it is not racism,” Eckerle said.

He said he will not resign from the road commission.