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Longboat Key | Opinion

The Bayfront Park Recreation Center was formerly the tennis clubhouse at the Far Horizons Resort.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2017
Unfinished jewel

It took $3.5 million and 14 years — 14 years! — to renovate Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park. But the one amenity that has been and is used the most is still the same old inadequate building.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gov. Rick Scott
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2017
Legislature vs. Scott: Time will tell

There will be a time to remember

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Trump needs to spell out how he’s going to drain the Washington spending swamp.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
Tale of two tax cuts

When Trump’s opponents rant about tax cuts being for the wealthy, it’s a fake argument. Meanwhile, raising Florida’s homestead exemption has consequences lawmakers ignore.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Dave Bullock, left, and Juan Florensa are retiring in January.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
Succession planning at Town Hall

Key has two big positions to fill

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A proposal to relocate a historic Longboat Key cottage to a more visible location could backfire, a letter-writer says.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2017
Letters to the Editor for Longboat Observer

Readers sound off on key issues

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A simulated roundabout at the southern entrance to the Longboat Key Club and Resort
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 26, 2017
What’s the plan?

A cool simulation video on Gulf of Mexico Drive triggers important questions. What are the town’s priorities?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Some residents wants to preserve the 1930s-era Whitney cottage on the property of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts.Â
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 26, 2017
The cost of preserving LBK history

As with most things, it’s all about the money.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 20, 2017
Give this bill an ‘F’

Florida lawmakers can’t help themselves. They love to meddle (too much) in public education. The latest idea — ‘Schools of Hope’ — doesn’t offer much hope. It’s bureaucracy at its worst.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 20, 2017
MYTH OF SARASOTA: THAT IT IS A BOOM TOWN, HOT BED OF GROWTH

The numbers don't lie.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
These are just three of the thinly veiled environmental messages on the city’s sea level-rising sign at Lido Key Beach.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 12, 2017
Streets, trash and safety

Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin has good intentions, educating the public about climate change. But the city shouldn’t be telling you to drive instead of fly or to eat less red meat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Randy Clair
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 12, 2017
Succession planning

It should be a goal in the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bird Key Yacht Club Commodore Charlie Wilson and Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • April 12, 2017
Bird Key revitalizes Sarasota Bay Cup with charitable partnership

The Mote Regatta will be held on April 21 and 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
One proposal calls for reducing Fruitville to a two-lane road between Lemon and Cocoanut avenues, with roundabouts at those two intersections as well as at Central Avenue.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 6, 2017
Try a Fruitville overpass

Sarasota city officials are stuck on narrowing Fruitville Road, seemingly ignoring the road is a major east-west artery. Surely there are creative alternatives. How about a charrette?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Suggestions are swirling to solve traffic and pedestrian issues on Fruitville Road and U.S. 41.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 6, 2017
Longboat Observer readers sound off on Key issues

Voters spoke loud and clear on density.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Phill Younger
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 6, 2017
Taxpayers' watchdog

Younger is off the Town Commission, but he's still involved.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
The southern end of Longboat Key feature many mid-rise condo buildings including the Beaches of Longboat Key (right, built in 1984), Regent Place of Longboat Key (middle two buildings, built in 1995) and Longboat Key Towers (left two buildings, built in 1970).
  • April 1, 2026
Inspections show LBK condo buildings in sound shape but come at a cost
2
Garden Club President Melanie Dale helps lead efforts to beautify and support the Longboat Key community. Butterflies visit flowering plants cultivated to support pollinators, reflecting the club's focus on sustainable, Florida-friendly landscapes.
  • April 1, 2026
Longboat Garden Club's efforts help beautify and nurture a community
3
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
  • April 1, 2026
A staple of Longboat Key for over 40 years, Harry's Continental Kitchens keeps it fresh
4
The home at 590 Birdie Lane sold for $5.5 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,297 square feet of living area.
  • April 1, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
5
Artist Darina Bratkova, originally from Ukraine, is the creator of thought-provoking, water-based scenes that many visitors to St. Armands Circle first view when coming to the business hub. She shared how she got her start as an artist and her hopes for educating others in the future.
  • April 1, 2026
St. Armands artist shares insight into thought-provoking art

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