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Opinion

    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 22, 2011
Incorporation to be subject of summer news series

By August, readers should have all the information they need to determine whether to support Lakewood Ranch becoming a city.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2011
Our View: Safety is the priority

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube made a persuasive case last week for increased spending, and it appears a majority of Manatee County commissioners are inclined to listen. So are we.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 06.23.211

East County readers respond to news and opinions in previous editions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
An astoundingly expensive $20 million proposal to upgrade the public beach facilities at Siesta Key beach is not only out of touch with fiscal realities, it misses a central point: The draw of Siesta Key beach is the beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 16, 2011
Our View: Siesta Beach plan unreal

Siesta Key Beach is one of Sarasota's jewels and a critical component of the economic pillar of tourism - a major leg of our economy long term. It is part of who we are.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
Our view: Legislation hurts Longboat

The Legislature violated in the past session one basic governing principle but upheld one unfortunately universal law - the law of unintended consequences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 06.16.11

East County readers respond to news and opinions in previous editions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
OUR VIEW: Valid straw poll imperative

The two sides in the debate over Lakewood Ranch incorporation do not agree on much. But one thing they have in common is a tit-for-tat dance that is probably confusing the incorporation debate more than anything else.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 9, 2011
OUR VIEW: Jackson demise for the best

Contrary to prevailing establishment opinion, Sarasota County did not 'lose out' on the Jackson Laboratory deal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
Our View: Budget needs more cutting

There is nothing easy about running a local government these days. Decisions that should have been made, or reversed, long ago are being forced now as property values keep declining and the economic future remains a general mystery. There is no more road to kick the can down.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
Letters to the editor

To send in your letters, please email them to [email protected], or mail them to the Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 34228.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
OUR VIEW: Sheriff's request questionable

Manatee County Commissioners have their hands full again creating a balanced budget in the fifth year of declining revenues from falling property values and a struggling economy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Immigration reform protest in Tallahassee last month. Note use of "anti-immigrant" when the issue is "illegal immigrant," and the use of children.
  • By Rod Thomson
  • June 8, 2011
MY VIEW: Needed: immigration principles

Immigration reform frustratingly died in the Florida Legislature last month. What is so difficult about making everyone play by the same rules?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Gary Berns
  • June 8, 2011
Delay incorporation vote

As chairman of the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, I write to respond to your editorial entitled, "Too soon for petitions."

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

McNeal article a smear campaign

  • East County
  • Opinion
Jim Ley
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
OUR VIEW: The lesson from Ley

In the totality of his tenure, you can easily argue Jim Ley performed well as Sarasota County administrator. So his resignation last week - or to be more precise, the circumstances that led to his departure - should not forever or indelibly blemish his 14-year record.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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