Who is Elizabeth “Sea Turtle” Drayer?
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Sea Turtle earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her law degree from George Washington University. For the last 22 years she has lived in Clearwater, raising two daughters with her husband Michael. Her legal experience includes work for government, industry and nonprofits. Sea Turtle has served on city boards and chaired nonprofit committees, volunteered in schools and for many charities. A lifelong musician, she’s entertained at nursing homes, community and education events.
Why is Sea Turtle running for mayor?
Decades of advocacy convinced her that current laws can’t halt the planet’s decline. Red tide and algae pollute the water and harm our health. Pesticides turn up in breast milk and the cereal we feed our kids. Whales wash up dead and bloated with plastic, bird and butterfly numbers are plummeting. Still we keep paving the beaches and cutting down trees, driving out wildlife that call these places home. The planet’s in crisis but government sticks its head in the sand. A mayor who represents nature will make a powerful statement that Clearwater wants to turn things around.
What is Sea Turtle’s plan for Clearwater?
A voice for the voiceless, Sea Turtle will speak for nature: the air, water, plants and wildlife that sustain us. This means fewer plastics, pesticides, concrete on the beach. It means more green business, native plants and trees, and renewable energy. It’s always cheaper to prevent pollution than to clean it up! Sea Turtle’s goal is to designate one council seat for a guardian of ecosystems, ensuring nature has a permanent voice in city decisions. Other plans include an impact fee on new development to fund the purchase of land to be turned back to nature, protected bike lanes, and more power for the Environmental Advisory Board. When council decisions don’t impact nature, Sea Turtle will use her legal knowledge and good judgment to ensure fair and frugal solutions.
How can I help Sea Turtle?
She doesn’t take money, but loves volunteers. Please give her a call to see how you can help. She’s also glad to speak to groups about her plans for the city, and to listen to residents’ thoughts about how to improve the community.
