CLEARWATER, Fla.
Jared Leone, candidate for Clearwater City Council, Seat 4, has secured the endorsement of the Sierra Club, the country’s leading environmental advocacy group.
“Environmental leadership is about much more than picking up trash or protecting wildlife, although those things are important,” Leone said. “It’s about ensuring Clearwater is resilient in the face of stronger storms, investing in infrastructure that protects our waterways, preserving the natural beauty that drives tourism, and maintaining the quality of life that makes people want to live, work, and invest here. A healthy environment supports a healthy economy. Our beaches, parks, waterways, and natural resources are not only part of our identity; they are among our greatest economic assets. Protecting them today helps ensure Clearwater remains a world-class destination and a great place to call home for generations to come. Thank you to the Suncoast Sierra Club for your support and for your continued advocacy on behalf of our environment and our community.”
Leone served as chairman of the city’s Environmental Advisory Board for nearly a decade listening to residents and advocating for policies, initiatives and projects that led to millions of dollars in savings for the city. During his time on the board he wrote the city’s Ocean Friendly resolution to reduce the use of single use plastics. He revived GreenPrint, the city’s guiding document on sustainability and resiliency, helping the city become a leader in its use of solar in the Tampa Bay area.
He is vice president of Keep Pinellas Beautiful, president of the Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition and president of the Spring Branch Neighborhood Association, where he secured a $1.5 million city investment in the expansion and renovation of State Street Park, 8 acres of greenspace in densely populated Pinellas County. He’s also organized cleanups that led to more than 6,500 pounds of trash removed from the park and surrounding areas.
The Suncoast Sierra Club, the Pinellas County affiliate, works to elect environmentally aware candidates, advocates for clean energy and the preservation of greenspace throughout our community.