Christina Lokey, who served as Beaumont’s economic development manager for eight years, announced her resignation on social media, expressing frustration with the current environment. “The noise is exhausting. Every argument, every post, every rumor, it chips away at the energy we could be using to build something real,” Lokey said.

Beaumont Mayor Roy West praised Lokey’s work and respected her decision, stating, “She did a good job of expressing why she decided now was the time to resign and certainly she has a lot of passion for the city of Beaumont.”

Lokey emphasized her decision was “not from weakness, but from strength,” and that her passion to serve could no longer thrive where “theatrics shouted louder than ideas.” Despite Lokey’s departure, Mayor West assured that plans for the upcoming November bond election remain unchanged.

“The plans are going to continue to progress as they have,” he said. The city will soon begin the process of filling Lokey’s vacant position. Lokey remains optimistic about Beaumont’s future, stating her passion to move the city forward is undiminished.