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Opinion

  • By Jorge Blanco
  • July 24, 2013
Castaway

Read this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
One source of the controversy: on Bayview Drive on the north side of Longboat Key. Photo by Kurt Schultheis.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 24, 2013
Our View: Boat-trailer trash; or is it?

Knowing the history of restrictive zoning on Longboat Key, it's quite remarkable that now, in 2013, 58 years after the town's incorporation, there is not a law on Longboat Key's books banning the parking of boats in residential yards.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Dogs enjoy the surf at Brohard Paw Park Beach in Venice.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 19, 2013
FRIDAY FIVE: Places to bond with man's best friend

Break free from the old routine, and take your dog (or dogs) for more than just a walk at these five fun places to play with fido.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 18, 2013
OUR VIEW: The high cost of police

As of Tuesday and Wednesday, when the Sarasota City Commission resumed its budget discussions, commissioners faced a projected $2.54 million budget shortfall for the upcoming 2013-2014 fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rodger Skidmore
  • By Rodger Skidmore
  • July 18, 2013
MY VIEW: 'Depiction' is key before placement of statue

The raising of the flag on Iwo Jima means different things to different people - usually based on different sets of "facts" - so real knowledge of history is important.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2013
Drop DROP

"Your plan is not fair, Mr. Bullock." - Maureen Monahan Emergency-services specialist Town of Longboat Key Let's talk about fair.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2013
Letters to the Editor

Dear Manatee County Commission: My family has owned our home in Bayshore Gardens since 1967. I am the third family member to reside in this fine home. I live here all year...

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Bradford Saivetz
  • July 17, 2013
My view: Why should all Key residents have to pay for sand structures?

When the residents of the town agreed to embark on the mission to continually enhance and maintain the beach, it was on the clear understanding that the beachfront owners and the commercial interests were to shoulder 80% of the costs and the remainder of the owners would pay 20%.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Iwo Jima veteran Harold Ronson, left: Should he give up? Sarasota Public Art Fund founder Thomas Savage, right: “You can’t fight City Hall” in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2013
Give up? They didn't at Iwo

What does it say about a community whose behind-the-scenes City Hall manipulators scotch an effort to bring to Sarasota's bayfront one of the greatest American icons depicting one of the greatest moments in American history?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Iwo Jima veteran Harold Ronson, left: Should he give up? Sarasota Public Art Fund founder Thomas Savage, right: "You can't fight City Hall" in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Our View: Give up? They didn't at Iwo

What does it say about a community whose behind-the-scenes City Hall manipulators scotch an effort to bring to Sarasota's bayfront one of the greatest American icons depicting one of the greatest moments in American history? It's so deflating.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Letters 7.10.13

Are turtles more important?; Agreement unacceptable

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2013
OUR VIEW: The principles that guide us

We vow, as a nation, we will never forget 9/11. We vow we will never forget the Holocaust. We vow we will never forget our brothers and sisters who in all wars and conflicts gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country, for our liberty.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Andrew Clayton
  • July 2, 2013
MY VIEW: I choose liberty; denounce surveillance

The NSA's surveillance of Americans is a breach of the Constitution. How would you like the government tracking who visits your home or how you spend your money.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Minister Joel Osteen, left, leads Nik Wallenda and his family in prayer minutes before the Grand Canyon walk. (Photo from Salon.com)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2013
Our View: Down with DOMA

We are all likely to drown over the next few days in the news and commentaries on the U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. The court said it was unconstitutional. This is likely to become our next Roe v. Wade.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2013
Our View: Two who do it right

One of the rote lessons of journalism school is the definition of 'news.' In simplest terms, it is the unusual or extraordinary. 'Dog bites man' is not news. 'Man bites dog' is.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD

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