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Longboat Key | Opinion

The $21 million, 2-acre park
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 25, 2026
The $21 million, 2-acre park

Sarasota County is paying twice as much for property than the seller paid two years ago. It's another sign of a concerning spending trend.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
County facing budget consequences
  • By Christine Robinson
  • February 16, 2026
County facing budget consequences

The 9.2% increase in spending in 2026 has commissioners starting the budget process with a $7.1 million gap between expenses and revenues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Legislature tackles housing affordability again
  • By Adrian Moore, Christina Mojica, Eliza Terziev
  • February 4, 2026
Legislature tackles housing affordability again

With the introduction of two bills, the state attempts to address underlying issues that increase the costs of developing new homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 3, 2026
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters

If the elimination of property taxes is being discussed, school taxes must also be considered for communities such as Longboat Key, a reader says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rather than tackling everything at once, attaining small habit changes can help you meet bigger goals and better health in the new year.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • January 28, 2026
Use your healthy habits to find fabulosity

When considering goals, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But small habits gives us the power to achieve larger — and lasting — change.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Real cost of public notice
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 28, 2026
Real cost of public notice

State lawmakers keep saying public notices are a cost issue that needs fixing. They’re missing the point.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
2026 Word: Laissez-faire
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 7, 2026
2026 Word: Laissez-faire

That two-word phrase is a reminder — a reminder to politicians and officeholders to let us live our lives the way we want to live, and a reminder that we must teach the next generations of the virtues of capitalism.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Gulf of Mexico Drive isn't just Longboat Key's main street — it is its only street
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • January 6, 2026
Gulf of Mexico Drive isn't just Longboat Key's main street — it is its only street

Keeping the island's only thoroughfare as efficient as possible should be the primary goal of any Complete Streets plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Will some of us say goodbye to property taxes?
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • December 10, 2025
Will some of us say goodbye to property taxes?

A proposed cut to property taxes sounds like a good idea, but, as always, it comes with unintended consequences.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Why should e-bikes be forced into danger?
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • December 9, 2025
Why should e-bikes be forced into danger?

The road is a dangerous place for bikes, be it regular or electric. Create rules for all cyclists that keep everyone safe on the multiuse path.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Holiday stress can take away from the joy of the season.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • December 9, 2025
How to stress less during the holidays

This can be a time of limited time and lofty expectations. How to make sure you're taking care of yourself to stay healthy and enjoy the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
During Thanksgiving dinner, we could end up having triple the amount of daily intake of sugar. A workout in the morning can help keep your glucose levels low.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • November 17, 2025
Avoid that sugar rush at your Thanksgiving dinner

Before dinner eat lightly, during dinner have moderate portions and save room for a small sample of dessert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Florida lawmakers need to be aware of long-term pension strategy
  • By Zachary Christensen, Adrian Moore, Steven Vu
  • November 12, 2025
Florida lawmakers need to be aware of long-term pension strategy

The state pension fund is still in a deficit and policymakers should avoid financial risks.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The initial staff of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in November 1925. The Hospital, held a celebration for its 100th anniversary last week.
  • By David Verinder
  • November 5, 2025
Sarasota Memorial celebrates a century of care

Sarasota Memorial Hospital President and CEO David Verinder shares his thoughts about the complex's 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Il faut cultiver notre jardin
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 29, 2025
Il faut cultiver notre jardin

Delving into a pile of history books during a sabbatical revealed a depressing truth: Nothing has changed. To improve society, we must tend our own garden.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Angie Cupp uses a tractor and landscaping rake attachment to clean Longboat Key beaches of debris.
  • May 25, 2026
Beach raking cleans the shoreline but comes with erosion concerns
2
Frank Biondello, Jr. has been overseeing the transformation of The Dock on the Bay's hurricane-damaged marina as the marina manager for the past year.
  • May 25, 2026
Dock on the Bay makes progress on 'long road to recovery'
3
Grant's Gardens has a two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road, and is proposing to build an office building on the lot across the street at 524 Gulf Bay Road.
  • May 23, 2026
Landscaping company seeks expansion in Longboat Key
4
  • May 23, 2026
New town clerk hired for Longboat Key
5
A black skimmer incubates its eggs.
  • May 21, 2026
Colony of black skimmers continues to thrive on Lido Key; here's how to respect their space

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