Email: jared.leone@patch.com
Phone: (727) 252-8886
Hometown: Largo, Fla.
Birthday: June 3
Bio: Jared Leone is the editor of Clearwater Patch. A long-time Largo resident, he has lived in Clearwater since 2008. He worked for the St. Petersburg Times for nearly four years in Clearwater, Carrollwood and downtown Tampa. Before that, he worked as a freelance writer for the Associated Press, the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Bay Newspapers. He is a graduate of the University of Florida where he wrote for the Independent Florida Alligator. When he is not a newshound he enjoys biking, skateboarding, kayaking and riding his motorcycle.
Politics
I believe in the candidate not the party. I believe the two party system has hurt the country. I think a valid three party, or more, system that incorporates indepedents and other voices helps bolster political discussion. With that in mind, I am registered non-partisan and have taken part in every election since 2000, when I first could vote.
Religion
Casual Jew. I try to keep kosher but only seem to make it to synagogue for the High Holy days.
Local Hot-Button Issues
How will Clearwater maintain the level of service its residents expect while cutting budgets? It is tough to maintain recreation and library and even law enforcement services with dwindling budgets. I look forward to see how Clearwater deals with the challenge while still giving residents what they want. Scientology has been a part of the landscape of Clearwater for more than 30 years. As the religion grows so will the group's membership in and around the city.
What will the future of downtown look like? With Coachman Park, the Main Library and Harborview Center all looking at major changes as well as facelifts on Cleveland Street and condos filling up, will this usher in a downtown renaissance?
Nearly $500,000 in repairs to Clearwater Beach's Pier 60, including fixing portions of the concrete deck and pilings, replacing railings and installing a catwalk around the bait house starts Monday. The project is expected to last six months, which
Raymond, theTampa Bay Rays mascot, helped Clearwater Little League start the 2013 season Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Carpenter Complex near Bright House Field.
Nearly $500,000 in repairs to Clearwater Beach's Pier 60, including fixing portions of the concrete deck and pilings, replacing railings and installing a catwalk around the bait house starts Monday. The project is expected to last six months, which
Clearwater Fire and Rescue spent about 20 minutes working to put out a fire at an unoccupied house at 6792 297th Ave in unincorporated Clearwater at 5:04 a.m Saturday.
Work on nearly $127,000 of Main Library entrance improvements is expected to start soon, according to library officials.
After Angelo Proestopoulos shared his experiences trying to start a business in downtown Clearwater's Cleveland Street District, he says the Loft opens this weekend.
Here is what some Clearwater Patch readers had to say about the possible 300-unit, mixed-use Town Lake project near Prospect Lake Park that could be built as soon as June 2014.
Help cleanup trash and debris from Glen Oaks Park from 9 a.m. to noon March 23 at the park, 1345 Court St.
Take a moment to enjoy one of the reasons to live in Clearwater.
The following people were arrested on felony charges from Jan. 29-Feb. 4. The reports are based on records collected from the Largo Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Officer Karl Wassmer was honored for bravery during a fire fight with an armed suspect during the 36th annual Joseph F. Cornelius Family Foundation's Outstanding Police Officer of the Year award presentation.
Bledar "Tony” Starova was surprised to find out about a code violation regarding an outdoor ATM machine through comments made by Clearwater Mayor George N. Cretekos this week.
From Charlotte's Web to Where the Wild Things Are, share these classic books with your children and encourage their love for reading.
The iconic local Irish restaurant and bar is hiring for help during its St. Patrick's Day weekend block party.
Largo city commissioners unanimously approved purchasing a 21st century library checkout tool at its meeting Tuesday.
Initial plans for a Chase Bank in the Pinellas Shopping Center parking lot near the corner of the intersection of West Bay Drive and Clearwater-Largo Road were approved 6-1 by city commissioners Tuesday.
The iconic Clearwater Irish restaurant and bar is hiring for help during its St. Patrick's Day weekend block party.
Some Largo Patch readers think more advertising could boost the low attendance plaguing Largo's weekly Open Air Market. It meets from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at the Largo Community Center.
A possible 300-unit, mixed-use development could come to downtown Clearwater as the Town Lake project near Prospect Lake Park was sent out to developers to bid on this week.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue workers rescued six ducklings near the 1400 block of Court Street Monday afternoon.
