Lexington, Mo., Mayor Fred Wiedner resigned from his position this week, citing hateful comments on social media, according to KSHB-TV in Kansas City, Mo.

Wiedner announced the move in an open letter to the city, writing, “I did not sign up for this mess. Or, possibly I did and just didn’t realize how mean people could be. Either way, it is no longer worth the battle.”

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In February, Lexington’s city council voted to fire its popular city administrator, a decision Wiedner said some residents blamed him for, according to The Associated Press.

“The recent hatred, attacks, and outright lies that have been hurled in my direction on Facebook by some citizens of this community are absolutely disgusting and I honestly believe do not represent the majority,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

Wiedner added that he and his wife decided to leave the town weeks before after he accepted a new job in another state.

“Every decision made by either me or the City Council was made in the best interest of the city of Lexington,” Wiedner wrote.

City Councilman Scott Lynn will serve as mayor pro tem until an election can be held in November, City Clerk Carla Ghisalberti told the TV station.