• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • April Fools
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • April Fools
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

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
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 20, 2011
My View: It's not a 'drain,' it's a wash

A recent news story reveals a misunderstanding of how the economics work. Employees contributing to their pensions doesn't lessen the economy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2011
Our View: What about the taxpayer?

As is all too common, an important party has not been at the table in the negotiations between the Manatee County School District and the Manatee Education Association.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 13, 2011
My View: Teacher lawsuit instructive

There is much to be learned from the lawsuit filed by the statewide teachers union and joined by others, including an entitlement mentality.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Our View: Re-think new house taxes

Building a new house in Manatee County will get a little more expensive beginning Oct. 1, thanks to the County Commission breezily approving a new impact fee schedule with nary a peep.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Sarasota County got Benderson right

The Sarasota County Commission was right to eliminate the Benderson's affordable housing provision. But there is a bigger issue involved.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Kalahar
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Reality check for schools

To add insult to injury, schools spent their financial windfall in hard cash, while homeowners watched the equity of their property plummet as the housing bubble burst.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ringing any bells? A dismal 12% of high school seniors have a good grasp of American history. Fewer than one in four attain the minimum basic standard, according to tests from the U.S. Department of Education.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2011
OUR VIEW: The crisis of our founding roots

Despite naysayers in some of the highest offices in the land, the story of America may be the most compelling national story ever told in the history of the world, the story of men who fought and died for a universal desire - freedom - and then embodied that desire in a set of guiding principles that continues to this day.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Merrill
  • By David Merrill
  • June 23, 2011
My View: More money is no answer

Rod Thomson's recent editorial, "Reforms, Not Money, Working," was spot-on. His argument that money hasn't led to increased test scores in our educational system is true both at the international level and at our local level.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Thomson
  • By Rod Thomson
  • June 23, 2011
My View: Setting the vote straight

There are some issues that have been so badly reported, where the bias is so entrenched and the media agenda so intertwined in news stories, that it is difficult to unravel things enough to make a cogent argument. Everyone's mind appears already made up with insufficient information.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 22, 2011
Incorporation to be subject of summer news series

By August, readers should have all the information they need to determine whether to support Lakewood Ranch becoming a city.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2011
Our View: Safety is the priority

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube made a persuasive case last week for increased spending, and it appears a majority of Manatee County commissioners are inclined to listen. So are we.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 06.23.211

East County readers respond to news and opinions in previous editions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 06.16.11

East County readers respond to news and opinions in previous editions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
« 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
2
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
3
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
4
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
5
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now