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?
Some roads will be closed as part of the $2.5 million Hillcrest-Brookhill neighborhood traffic calming project, which started this week and is expected to be complete in a year and a half.
City leaders will vote to designate a portion of the former Crossroads Mall a brownfields site in an effort to offer incentives for a planned Walmart Supercenter.
Asphalt covered what was a nearly 10-foot-wide sinkhole that opened near the movie theater at Largo Mall on Friday.
City leaders are reviewing the success of the trial red light camera program during their meeting Tuesday at City Hall. A report detailing its results could impact their decision to keep or cut the program.
Game day traffic combined with US 19 construction at Gulf to Bay Boulevard and the normal rush hour could cause delays in the area around Bright House Field, according to Clearwater Police.
Cole Hamels gets the start for the Phillies when they play the Dominican Republic at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at Bright House Field.
A series of burglaries to unlocked cars in the Countryside area appear to be related, according to Clearwater Police.
Clearwater Patch readers shared their excitement and interest in Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials' plans to redevelop City Hall as a $160 million main attraction featuring Winter the dolphin.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue officials are investigating a fire at a condominium at 2087 Edgewater Drive that displaced three people early Monday morning.
While accidents have increased at the intersections where red light cameras are running in Clearwater, officials say other factors could play a part.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue officials are investigating a fire at a condominium at 2087 Edgewater Drive that displaced three people early Monday morning.
The cost to end the contract with the company that runs the red light camera program could be at least $54,000 if city leaders decide to cancel the contract by July 1, according to city records.
The city has brought in more than $570,000 in red light camera fines during the six month test, with nearly $300,000 going to the state, $201,000 to the city and $72,000 for the employees who oversee it, according to city documents.
The Phillies play the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. at Bright House Field.
The historically accurate reproductions of the famed ships that were part of Christopher Columbus' journey are moored at Clearwater Harbor Marina through the weekend.
Nine citizens would be needed to develop possible changes to the city’s charter.
Winter the dolphin would be moved to a $160 million facility at City Hall, and Coachman Park would be expanded under the proposal, which also seeks nearly $60 million in government help and approval by Clearwater voters.
Construction of the skateboarding park is expected to start in about a month and should be complete by summer, according to officials.
Abut 26 injured veterans with the Wounded Warriors Project come to the Clearwater Community Sailing Center for a chance to go boating from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2.
A homeowners group studied visitor numbers at Winter's Dolphin Tale Adventure at the Harborview Center and determined only a small percent of people venture from the exhibit to downtown Clearwater.
