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Opinion

Recommendations explained and local tax ballot questions
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 16, 2024
Recommendations explained and local tax ballot questions

Those of you who have slogged through the many long diatribes on this page surely are familiar by now with the predictable slant at election time.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lisa Hastings, Ed Murphy, Kelly Jones, Hannah Nese and Alyson Battaglia of Legler, Murphy and Battaglia were sentenced to hard labor during Alliance Gives Back.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance digs deep to give back to the community

The Alliance Gives Back program continues to grow in its mission to help nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The six amendments
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 9, 2024
The six amendments

Every four years, Florida voters face a flurry of proposed amendments to the state constitution. This year, six proposed amendments will be on the ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This was a busy few opening weeks so far
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • October 8, 2024
This was a busy few opening weeks so far

In Michael Harris' first three weeks as managing editor of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, the area has had two hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Arguments lead to faulty conclusion
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • October 7, 2024
Arguments lead to faulty conclusion

Blaming government for economic woes misses the real causes behind problems.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum
  • By Richard Tatem
  • October 7, 2024
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum

School board member Richard Tatem says passing the referendum is essential to providing a quality education.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nov. 5: Road to serfdom or the road to liberty?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 2, 2024
Nov. 5: Road to serfdom or the road to liberty?

Democracy leads to the lousy getting on top; subsidizing and producing more bad behavior; and economic fascism. The November election won’t stop all that, but the right choice can be a start.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The republic that’s failing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 25, 2024
The republic that’s failing

All the talk about ‘threats to democracy’ and ‘destroying democracy’ are totally off the mark. It’s mob-rule democracy that is destroying the republic and destroying Americans’ individual liberty.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ford-Coates refutes Moran's charges
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 23, 2024
Ford-Coates refutes Moran's charges

The Sarasota County Tax Collector answers allegations made by her challenger in the November election.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Premier Sports Campus is one of many Manatee County amenities that the tourist development tax helps fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 18, 2024
Do your research on Manatee's tourist tax

The 1% increase makes sense to keep our attractions pristine.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Observer recommends …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 18, 2024
Observer recommends …

This week begins the Observer’s general election recommendations for a few races and the state amendments.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 17, 2024
Incumbent's rhetoric lacks accuracy

Candidate Mike Moran responds to Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates' letter to the editor.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lifestyle investments by SMR brought entertainers such as Sheri Nadelman to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch to make life just a little brighter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
SMR takes harder path toward Lakewood Ranch success

Investments in lifestyle and conservation pay off in the long run for SMR.

  • East County
  • Opinion
SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch's accomplishments over 30 years.
  • By Laura Cole
  • September 12, 2024
Celebrating 30 years

Lakewood Ranch represents our legacy of vision and community building.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 11, 2024
Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims

Barbara Ford-Coates writes to debunk claims about her budget and operations as Sarasota County tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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