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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
Another tee shot goes 'OB'

Taxpayers are expected to subsidize the Bobby Jones Golf Club in the current fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
The pressure is on, Mote

With the Sarasota County Commission agreeing to front $20 million to Mote Marine for its aquarium from bed taxes, the bigger challenge is yet to come: proving its vision is real.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
Who should rule vacation rentals?

Local governments across Florida struggle to deal with regulating vacation rentals.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 22, 2020
How to make Longboat's Gulf of Mexico Drive safer

Keep the transports out of the middle of GMD, let lights shine on the road, and buy GMD from the state.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Nathan Benderson Park (File photo)
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 16, 2020
Bending the numbers for Benderson Park

How trustworthy are indirect economic benefits?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Damage caused by feral pigs in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 15, 2020
Letters to the Editor in Lakewood Ranch

Feral Pigs aren't so cute when they aren't tearing up land in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Readers frequently pointed out the traffic bottlenecks in St. Armands Circle as something the'd like to fix -- if they had the power to do so.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 15, 2020
Kings of the road: What if you wore the crown?

Readers let us know where they stand on solutions to perennial roadway backups.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Hoyt Architects of Sarasota created this rendering of “Town Center Park,” site of the former Amore restaurant near Publix.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 15, 2020
The keys to a town center on Longboat

If Longboat Key commissioners are convinced the town needs a town center, they face two tough decisions: giving subsidies to developers and what to do about density.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 8, 2020
2019 is a case for change

Three big decisions by the Sarasota City Commission definitively demonstrated that the city’s leadership structure doesn’t work. As the city matures, it needs a leader.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
St. Armands Circle is a frequent source of traffic headaches.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 2, 2020
If you were king or queen, how would you fix traffic?

What are your potential solutions to our never-ending traffic troubles.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 1, 2020
2020 word of the year: Make it a ‘Golden’ year

Given the past three years of strife in Washington, one word that comes to mind is ‘stop’ — as ‘Stop it!’ But a better approach is to take the high road: the Golden Rule.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pat and Bill Kopcsak still enjoy telling a story of incredible kindness that allowed them to have a wonderful Christmas in 1976.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch couple tells Christmas story of kindness

Hitting a cow and damaged car doesn't stop a wonderful Christmas for Lakewood Ranch couple.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mark Huey is stepping down as president and CEO of Sarasota's Economic Development Corp. (File photo)
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 12, 2019
There should be one EDC for Sarasota and Manatee counties

The board of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota has an opportunity to innovate. Consolidating with Manatee makes sense.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Brett Hutchens, a principal at Casto, talks about the Center Point project in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2019
Impressive Center Point complex comes to Lakewood Ranch; More traffic to follow

Lakewood Ranch gets another restaurant hub with the development of the Center Point project.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This is the last week of lane closures because of the tree removal on the Ringling Causeway. (Nat Kaemmerer)
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2019
How about Sarasota traffic cops?

The city of Sarasota should be thinking about the effects of roundabout construction on residents’ and visitors’ experience here. Some customer service with traffic could sure help.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire

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