• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • 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
  • 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
« 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
Mason Riley is projected to start at left tackle for an offensive line which coach Rob Hollway believes might be the deepest in program history.
  • May 26, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Mason Riley
2
Yolanda Mancha is the foundation's vice president of philanthropy, and Veronica Thames is the CEO.
  • May 26, 2026
Manatee Community Foundation is perpetually giving
3
Ellie Tullidge, 6, is glad to help her grandfather Bob Smith celebrate raising another $114,507 for Stillpoint Mission this year, which makes the 15 year total $633,507.
  • May 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch effort raises $114,507 for the Stillpoint Mission
4
Rising senior quarterback Louisen Desinor will start under center for Braden River High football in the fall. This spring was his opportunity to strengthen bonds with the playmakers around him.
  • May 25, 2026
High school coaches defend relevancy of spring football in Florida
5
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free