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Opinion

    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 8, 2012
Observed: Opa! St. Barbara preps for festival

When you're a minority, many folks are curious about your heritage, but they don't quite know how to inquire. They don't want to say anything that could be construed as offensive, so they skirt around, delicate as a doily.

  • East County
  • Opinion
State Rep. Greg Steube represents Florida District 67.
  • By Greg Steube
  • February 8, 2012
My View: Redistricting: History in the making

It is always a privilege to be part of something historic, and last week was one of those opportunities. After months of hearings all across Florida, the state House of Representatives passed three redistricting plans, a state Senate plan, a state House plan and a Florida congressional plan.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 8, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway Cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rod Thomson, Editor-at-Large
  • By Rod Thomson
  • February 2, 2012
My View: Hold back the heavy hand

Sarasota County staff recently presented heavy-handed code changes to landscaping that would have required even more bureaucracy to oversee onerous burdens on a struggling industry.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Carol B. Green lives in Sarasota.
  • By Carol Green
  • February 2, 2012
My View: More specifics on job creation, please

Too bad. Too bad Florida's Republican voters couldn't unite behind the perfect candidate. There is no such thing as the perfect candidate.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Our View: The 'seen' and 'unseen'

When we saw the front-page-sized view of the architect's rendering of a redeveloped Bayfront Park, including a new 18,000-square-foot community center on the bayfront, we couldn't help but say: "Wow. That would be great."

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
David Bullock
  • By David Bullock
  • February 1, 2012
My View: 2012 brings year of town-changing agenda

It has been 80 days since my appointment as Longboat Key town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Reconnecting in person. Of course, this photo likely will make its way onto Facebook at some point as well.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 1, 2012
OBSERVED: Social media project sparks reunion

My email inbox is a peculiar place. With one click of the mouse, hundreds of pieces of correspondence fill my email client every day.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Eva Rey
  • By Eva Rey
  • February 1, 2012
My View: Unraveling the government mystery

Upon my arrival in Lakewood Ranch last August, one of the most frequent comments I heard was our local government is too intricate and confusing.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Castaway

Read this week's Castaway Cartoon

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
Letter to the Editor: Stop trying to reinvent downtown Sarasota

Letter to the Editor: Stop trying to reinvent downtown Sarasota

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Our View: Character counts: Romney

If you were to determine your vote on the basis of content and delivery in the Monday night debate (Jan. 23) in Tampa, go with Rick Santorum.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Do not destroy Gill, even if you disagree with him; Rev. Gill has served the chapel well; We hope Island Chapel does not oust Gill; The perfect clergyman does not exist

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • January 25, 2012
Observed: Readers respond to challenge

Last week, in the wake of the murder of Riverwalk Hammock resident Ina Gross, I challenged Lakewood Ranch residents to "take back" their community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bob Salyers
  • By Bob Salyers
  • January 25, 2012
Nature Trail: Photog captures elusive caracara

One early morning while surveying Myakka River State Park, a fellow photographer excitedly told me that I had just missed a great image of a crested caracara.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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