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Longboat Key | Opinion

Michael Drake, president of the Longboat Key Historical Society, says the society has had the funds to begin renovating its historical cottages. But it needs $450,000 to buy the land.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 12, 2018
The gift of a lifetime for LBK

An open letter to Santa.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Unicorp’s owner, Chuck Whittall, saved the town, taxpayers and Colony unit owners hassles, time, legal fees and at least $1 million by paying for and managing the town-ordered demolition of the Colony. He didn’t have to do that.Â
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 5, 2018
No good deed goes unpunished

What kind of thanks do you get for investing $600 million and boosting the values of Longboat Key? The same old Longboat thanks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jim Brown
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 5, 2018
Brown has contributed far more than his share

Veteran commissioner withdraws from re-election bid.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Former President George H.W. Bush died Nov. 30. He was 94.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 5, 2018
Bush 41: The defining symbol of what we should be

The former president died Nov. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
File photos
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • November 28, 2018
Murf's best friends weren't hard to find

But not all of them could get a coveted table in the Colony Dining Room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Family and friends gathered at the Makepeace groin over the weekend to remember Dr. Murray "Murf" Klauber.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 28, 2018
'Passion upon passion'

Murf Klauber and the Colony are gone. But the treasures he prized — his beach and Makepeace groin — will remain as lasting legacies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 20, 2018
A tradition rooted in God

From George Washington on, our presidents have reaffirmed every Thanksgiving our nation’s belief in what inspired the Pilgrims.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 14, 2018
Still red, and deep blue

Florida is like the nation: Its rural and less-populated areas are holding on to their conservative ways, while the most populous centers are becoming increasingly progressive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Boy Scouts salute veterans as they pass them on the parade route.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 7, 2018
Be the better angels

Perhaps it is not coincidental, then, that within a few days of our national elections is Veterans Day, the day the nation comes together to honor its military veterans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 31, 2018
Don’t vote on this yet

Longboat’s commission will begin talks on changes to the town code. They’re too wedded to the status quo and don’t go far enough.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Observer endorses Ron DeSantis for governor and Rick Scott for U.S. Senate.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 24, 2018
We’ll take liberty

A letter to no-party affiliated voters: You have the power.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 17, 2018
Local amendments

Our recommendations on local questions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 10, 2018
Amendments: 7 thru 13

A look at the rest of the questions on the ballot

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 3, 2018
The amendments

Florida voters will decide dozens of ballot questions. Here are six for consideration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Town Commission
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 26, 2018
Take solace in LBK tax rates

Longboat Key is managing it well thanks to a strong economy, governments are taking in more revenue.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception
2
A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key
3
The home at 344 W. Royal Flamingo Drive sold for $6.55 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,344 square feet of living area.
  • July 22, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
4
Mother-daughter duo Bridgette, left, and Giana Clark make a doubly positive difference in their community by monitoring sea turtle nests and clearing litter from the beach as volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. The group recently celebrated seeing their new "Adopt A Shore" signage.
  • July 22, 2026
Clean beaches are a 'shore' thing under Turtle Watch's eye
5
Multiple species of starfish have found a home on the "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
  • July 21, 2026
Longboat's living seawall recognized for creativity

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