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Opinion

Rod Thomson, Editorial Pages Editor
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 31, 2011
My View: Bachmann resonates at local visit

Sitting across the table from Michele Bachman, the first thing you notice is that she is not the wild-eyed nut job that she is portrayed as in the mainstream media.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John Lee, 50, suffered a broken rib, a separated shoulder, a partially collapsed lung and multiple contusions on his face.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • August 31, 2011
My View: Beating recalls own enraged confrontation

Reports asked John Lee, as he lay bloodied, questions about the attack. My first question was different: Have you spoken to your son?

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 31, 2011
Our View: Civic-mindedness wins

With the results of the straw poll showing Lakewood Ranch residents really do not want to incorporate as a city at this time - at least those who voted in the poll - the issue is dead.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2011
Our View: Keep eliminating fees

Sarasota City Commissioner Shannon Snyder started a crusade recently to get the city's impact fees eliminated or suspended. It did not take much to get his fellow city commissioners to agree.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Selling Bobby Jones is short-sighted; Seniors to blame for overspending

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Parking meters were first installed in Sarasota in 1942 and removed that May. They were installed in 1946 and removed in 1967.
  • By Rodger Skidmore
  • August 25, 2011
My View: Creative parking meter options

It seems city commissioners have forgotten what they have done in the past. And yes, I do consider that the commissioners of 1942, 1946 and 2011 are the same people.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Our View: The real charter debate

The Sarasota County Charter certainly doesn't register as a nerve-twinger on Longboat Key like, say, installing a cell tower on the north end of the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Jim Brown
  • August 24, 2011
Town staff hard at work on Key developments

Contrary to what same may think, the Town Commission and staff are working diligently to ensure Publix and other developments are right for Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Keep dogs off the beaches

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • August 24, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 24, 2011
My View: Privatization future is here

The future for local government operations is to privatize or outsource a whole lot more functions than is currently thought reasonable.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 24, 2011
Our View: Sensible wetlands changes

Manatee County is taking steps in the right direction in tweaking its wetlands protection ordinances, following the reasonable goal of creating certainty for property owners and potential property owners.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Our View: Privatize Bobby Jones

Golfing may be the least essential of all government services. Of all the entertainment venues that local governments own or subsidize - from the Van Wezel to tennis courts to baseball - surely golf must rank near the bottom in order of importance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Letters to the Editor: 08.18.11

Change still needed for less debt and taxes; Kudos for showing 'Ruskin Sky' painting

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Merrill
  • By David Merrill
  • August 18, 2011
My View: Building a university economy

The future is retirement. At least that's what a report from the University of Florida says about Sarasota's economy.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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