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East County | Opinion

  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 23, 2011
OUR VIEW: No miracle on 44th Avenue

Poor planning and NIMBYism has created an unfortunate collision at 44th Avenue East's expansion running from east of Bradenton through Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 23, 2011
TALLAHASSEE: Political pension punt

If leadership is best conducted by example, a key Florida Senate committee on pensions is conducting downright pathetic leadership and having real trouble being serious about the state's long-term financial woes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Drug-monitoring program

Readers respond to Gov. Rick Scott's decision to repeal the prescription drug monitoring program.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2011
OUR VIEW: County right, policy still wrong

When Ken Sanborn asked Sarasota County for another $500,000 for his startup movie studio in Lakewood Ranch, it just highlighted an ongoing policy problem.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • March 2, 2011
MY VIEW: Anti-growthers reliably wrong

Local governments have wisely been reducing or ditching new home taxes known as impact fees to spur the economy. Opponents are spitting mad.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2011
OUR VIEW: It's a great DEAL

Say this about Rex Jensen, chief executive officer of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch: He is a man of action and vision.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Dr. Robert S. Stepleman
  • January 26, 2011
LETTER: Incorporation opposition harbors valid concerns

Michael Griffin's letter attacking Daniel Moriarty's earlier letter as a "personal attack" would be much more persuasive if Griffin's group favoring Lakewood Ranch incorporation had followed its own advice.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 19, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 01.20.11

Informed and respectful debate of topics as important as the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch is both inevitable and necessary.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 01.13.11

To send in your letters, please e-mail them to [email protected] or mail them to The East County Observer, 8788 State Road 70 E., Suite 103, Bradenton, FL., 34202.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Regular readers of The East County Observer may remember that Lyric Eng's first two Santa visits did not go so well. I am happy to report Santa's reign of terror over our boy has ended.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 22, 2010
The most wonderful time of the year ...

With a staple gun in one hand and icicle lights dangling from the other, I climb clumsily up the ladder. It wobbles with each step until I reach the roof line. I only am able to trigger two staples in before I have to climb down and reposition the ladder.

  • East County
  • Opinion
No. 36: Holding both kids at the same time.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • November 23, 2010
A father's list of Thanksgiving gratitude

This Thanksgiving, I offer this list of 50 reasons why I, as a father, am thankful this year.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 28, 2010
The Observer gives election recommendations

Here is a summary of The Observer's candidate recommendations for the Nov. 2 election.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 27, 2010
OUR VIEW: Elections 2010: We recommend ...

It seems as though as it has been a generation since American voters have become as stoked as they are today about changing political directions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 29, 2010
LETTERS: Readers respond to 'Epidemic'

Last week, The East County Observer published an article titled "Epidemic." It focused on Justin Lizardi, the 20-year-old who in July was caught burglarizing homes in Heritage Harbour. His family shared details about Lizardi's longtime addiction to drugs, which he began using while a student Lakewood Ranch High School. See inside for readers' responses.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 23, 2010
OUR VIEW: The amendments

Here we are again, on the cusp of another round of voting on amendments to the Florida Constitution.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
4
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
5
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

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