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?
Plans are to build a Chase Bank in the Pinellas Shopping Center parking lot near the corner of the intersection of West Bay Drive and Clearwater-Largo Road.
Looking for a home to buy? Here are some in Largo for sale for less than $115,000.
Looking for a home to buy? Here are some selling in Clearwater for less than $126,000.
The Humane Society of Pinellas has many pet pals available for adoption including Kona.
Have a talent you would like to teach others? The Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Center is seeking instructors for classes.
Clearwater Patch readers shared some of their ideas for 30 days of events at Crest Lake Park.
Clearwater Police made 13 arrests and evicted 12 people from an East Gateway motel during a warrant sweep early Friday morning.
Take a moment to enjoy one of the reasons to live in Clearwater.
Readers offered their thoughts after John Starick shared his experiences trying to operate Captain John's Beach Bus, a low-speed, charter vehicle service on Clearwater Beach.
Looking to buy a home? Here are some selling in Clearwater for less than $160,000.
Clearwater Police is awarded $1,000 from Target for its National Night Out event. The event was selected out of hundreds across the country.
A truck makes a left turn onto south Belcher Road making Clearwater Police's Red Light Camera Violator of the Week.
The sixth annual Willa Carson Health and Wellness Center 5K Run/Walk is Saturday at Coachman Park.
The westbound lane of Sunset Point Road between Edgewater Drive and Douglas Avenue will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1.
Volunteers are needed to help at the city's Aging Well Center and Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival in February.
The Humane Society of Pinellas has many pet pals available for adoption including Dennis.
The "Race to the Finish" Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build event is Feb. 8-10 and Feb. 13-16 in the Stevens Creek subdivision in Clearwater.
Clearwater Police are investigating the death of a 22 year old man at the Town Place Apartments Thursday morning.
About 50 residents came to talk about safety and improvements for Crest Lake Park at the Skycrest Neighbors Association meeting Tuesday.
Residents challenged themselves to come up with 30 days of events to have in Crest Lake Park as a way to invite people back to the park. What would you add to this list?
