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East County | Opinion

Mike Eng, Managing Editor
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 22, 2012
Observed: Decision devolves into shameful display

When members of the Manatee County School Board last week voted 3-2 to institute a 1.75% pay cut and furlough days - retroactive to the beginning of the school year, no less - they surely knew the outrage it would cause.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rex Jensen is president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
  • By Rex Jensen
  • February 22, 2012
My View: Give 'em the sleeves from our vest

Every one of us - young and old alike - has been dealt a bad, if not losing, hand by this economic crisis.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Our View: This is America?

Most weeks, our preference is to devote this space to matters directly affecting the East County. Now and again, though, events beyond our region's interests are so alarming, bizarre or compelling they cannot be ignored.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Our View: This is America?

Most weeks, our preference is to devote this space to matters directly affecting the East County. Now and again, though, events beyond our region's interests are so alarming, bizarre or compelling they cannot be ignored.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 15, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Julie Aranibar, a Lakewood Ranch resident, represents District 3 on the Manatee County School Board.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
My View: Board tackles health care

Education is a topic that spans young pre-kindergarten little ones to adults walking across a graduation platform.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Don't bite the hand that feeds you; Anglers must supply own bait at tourney

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 8, 2012
Observed: Opa! St. Barbara preps for festival

When you're a minority, many folks are curious about your heritage, but they don't quite know how to inquire. They don't want to say anything that could be construed as offensive, so they skirt around, delicate as a doily.

  • East County
  • Opinion
State Rep. Greg Steube represents Florida District 67.
  • By Greg Steube
  • February 8, 2012
My View: Redistricting: History in the making

It is always a privilege to be part of something historic, and last week was one of those opportunities. After months of hearings all across Florida, the state House of Representatives passed three redistricting plans, a state Senate plan, a state House plan and a Florida congressional plan.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway Cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Reconnecting in person. Of course, this photo likely will make its way onto Facebook at some point as well.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 1, 2012
OBSERVED: Social media project sparks reunion

My email inbox is a peculiar place. With one click of the mouse, hundreds of pieces of correspondence fill my email client every day.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Eva Rey
  • By Eva Rey
  • February 1, 2012
My View: Unraveling the government mystery

Upon my arrival in Lakewood Ranch last August, one of the most frequent comments I heard was our local government is too intricate and confusing.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Castaway

Read this week's Castaway Cartoon

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 25, 2012
Observed: Readers respond to challenge

Last week, in the wake of the murder of Riverwalk Hammock resident Ina Gross, I challenged Lakewood Ranch residents to "take back" their community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

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2
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  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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