A Closer Look: Ward 4 City Council Candidates

Aloha Diamondhead - January 2024

Diamondhead is abuzz as the special election for the Ward 4 City Council seat approaches on January 30. With four candidates vying for the position, residents will choose the individual who will represent their interests and contribute to the city's growth and development.

- by Anne Pitre

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Brigitte B. Becker

Brigitte B. Becker
Brigitte B. Becker brings a wealth of experience to the table, having spent over 40 years in the insurance industry. After starting at the ground floor, she ascended to leadership positions, including senior vice president at Frank Winston Crum Insurance in Clearwater, Florida. Her commitment to community service is evident through her role as chairperson of the Frank Crum Invitational Golf Tournament, which raised over $1 million  to combat hunger in the Tampa Bay community.
 
Active in the Diamondhead community, Brigitte volunteers as a bingo caller at The Club at Diamondhead and is an avid golfer associated with the Diamondhead Women Golfers Association and the Diamondhead Women’s Golf Association Nines.

Brigitte is motivated to run for City Council so she can be a voice for Ward 4’s concerns. She is closely following the current growth underway and is committed ensuring that city leaders make responsible decisions as Diamondhead grows.
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Austin Clark

 
Austin Clark
The youngest contender in the race, Austin Clark is a familiar name in Diamondhead, being the son of Chuck Clark, the previous Ward 4 City Council representative. Austin's journey includes graduating from Hancock High and the Mississippi State Fire Academy in 2014. Since 2019 he has served as a firefighter and EMT with the Diamondhead Fire Department. He is also the owner of Clark's Lawn Care, a full-service landscaping company.
 
As a father to two small children, Olivia and Jackson, Austin is keen on bringing a fresh perspective to the City Council. The 2020 census revealed that Diamondhead was actually Hancock County’s largest city, and that the demographics are shifting. Young families now make up a large segment of the population, and young single professionals are moving into the area.  If elected, Austin is committed to being a voice for his generation on the City Council. 

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James A. Marble

 
James A. Marble
James A. Marble, an Army veteran and a 20-year resident of Diamondhead, has a diverse professional background. As the owner of Exit Coastal Gateway Realty, he possesses extensive experience in real estate development. He has also worked in fire safety, wetlands mitigation, and project design. Actively involved in youth sports, James has three children engaged in softball, baseball, and football.
 
While on the campaign trail, James identified a gap in citizen awareness about city business. Committed to citizen engagement, he pledges to be proactive in circulating information if elected. Having closely followed live-streamed meetings of the City Council and the Planning & Zoning Board, James aims to bridge the information divide and ensure residents are well-informed.
 

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Peter Yanez

 
Peter Yanez
Another Army veteran, a 40-year veteran of the aerospace industry, and a 24-year resident of Diamondhead, Peter Yanez is known for his exceptional volunteer efforts. Recently recognized by Mississippi Heroes, Peter actively volunteers for Feed My Sheep, is involved in his church, and dedicates much of his free time to helping friends and neighbors with home projects.
 
Peter identifies Diamondhead as being at a crossroads and emphasizes the need for a more focused approach to growth and development. With the city recently surpassing Bay St. Louis as the largest in Hancock County, Peter highlights the importance of strategic decision-making. In a campaign announcement on Facebook, he prioritizes drainage, community and economic development, and quality-of-life projects as immediate needs for Ward 4.
 

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The election will take place on Tuesday, January 30, at the Diamondhead Community Center located in the roundabout on Diamondhead Circle. Polls will be open from 7 am - 7 pm. Saturday, January 27, will be the last day to cast an absentee ballot. City Hall will be open from 8 am - 12 pm on January 27 to accommodate those wishing to cast an absentee ballot.
 
As residents prepare to cast their votes on January 30, these detailed profiles offer insights into the candidates' qualifications, motivations, and aspirations for Diamondhead's Ward 4. The outcome of this special election will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the city for years to come.
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