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East County | Opinion

  • By Jorge Blanco
  • August 24, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 24, 2011
My View: Privatization future is here

The future for local government operations is to privatize or outsource a whole lot more functions than is currently thought reasonable.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Our View: Sensible wetlands changes

Manatee County is taking steps in the right direction in tweaking its wetlands protection ordinances, following the reasonable goal of creating certainty for property owners and potential property owners.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • August 17, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rod Thomson
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 17, 2011
My View: Let's all go Follywood!

The lemming-like rush to try to lure Hollywood filmmakers to Sarasota and Manatee counties is costly, ineffective and a little embarrassing.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 17, 2011
Our View: County is one for two

Manatee County commissioners got one of the toughest decisions right in the budget for next year. They kept the property tax rate flat. Or so it appears. That will not be official until the final rate is approved in September.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • August 10, 2011
The Castaway

This week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 10, 2011
My View: Government debt is a moral failure

The moral compass for the majority of our political leadership in both parties is what is right for re-election, not the country's future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2011
Our View: Three portraits in courage

It can be all too easy to get bottled up in policies, politics and personalities and miss the amazing ways in which everyday people accomplish greatness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 3, 2011
My View: Give school boards more control

The nearly 40-year-old, school-funding program de-links those who set tax rates with those who spend the money. This erases accountability.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Our View: 'Yes' on straw poll

After two years of discussion and debate, a huge step is being taken to turn Lakewood Ranch into its own city.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 27, 2011
My View: The good news on jobs

In the relentless trashing by the mainstream media of everything Gov. Rick Scott does, there has been some pretty great news ignored lately.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 27, 2011
Our View: IDA surplus won't last

Every level of government is on forced austerity as the economic recovery stumbles under the frightening federal debt load and regulatory uncertainty.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Bob Hendel
  • July 27, 2011
My View: Incorporation reporting is unbalanced

In the June 22 East County Observer, the editors announced that the newspaper would launch a summer-long incorporation series. The goal was to provide residents with enough balanced information for residents to be more educated about the pros and cons of becoming a city. Our group, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, welcomed that effort with enthusiasm.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 20, 2011
Our View: District needs finance help

Manatee schools may need a financial intervention.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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