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Opinion

Longboat Key Town Manager David Bullock, left, earns an annual salary of $181,688. Town officials are considering Sarasota County Administrator Tom Harmer as Bullock's replacement. Harmer earns an annual salary of $207,625.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 12, 2017
Convenient, but ...

Longboat’s Town Commission appears ready to hire Sarasota County’s Tom Harmer as the next town manager. He looks like a good fit. But do you buy the first car you see and like?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Rotary Club donated $7,700 to help fund the agility equipment and two misting cooling stations, which look like fire hydrants, in the dog area at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2017
Fluffy Anderson sounds off on Longboat Key's Bayfront Park

Longboat Key letters to the editor

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Longboat Key's Bayfront Park is open to the public.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 12, 2017
One cheer for the remodeled Bayfront Park

The new Bayfront Park has more flaws than flair.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • July 6, 2017
Bobby Jones course needs change, not bailout

And the county should face the truth about affordable housing.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Keep Longboat Special group suggested a referendum to stop the development of any more hotel units on Longboat Key — beyond what already exists.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 5, 2017
Preserve the 250 units

Keep Longboat Special appears to be advocating a referendum to rescind the 2008 town vote to create a pool of 250 tourism units. Don’t go back to the old days; they really hurt the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Zota’s opening creates an appropriate time to acknowledge and applaud Ocean Properties’ commitment to this region.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 5, 2017
A bow to Ocean Properties' commitment

Rarely are private enterprises recognized and applauded for their investments and contributions.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Projects like Vue Sarasota Bay have moved forward based on approval from city staff, rather than elected officials.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2017
Time to review development incentives

The city’s Andres Duany-inspired zoning code for downtown is glaringly flawed with incentives favoring development, writes Planning Board member Eileen Normile.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 28, 2017
Ben Franklin, we need you more than ever

To preserve what our Founders created, Ben Franklin knew it depended on our having the proper temper in the public square.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
My grandfather, Burton E. Carson I, served with Gen. John Pershing's American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. During World War II, my grandfather served on the homefront as part of Civil Defense.
    By
  • Kelly Carson
  • June 28, 2017
For all its warts, America really is great

My family has been at the forefront of our nation's history since the beginning.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 22, 2017
Mandates don’t work

There they go again. City commissioners want to force Rosemary District developers to construct ‘affordable’ units. These policies always result in fewer homes and higher prices.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This is one of two historic Whitney Beach cottages that Longboat Key Historical Society President Michael Drake wants to preserve.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 21, 2017
Save the cottages

Longboat Key Historical Society President Michael Drake has secured the perfect place for the organization to have a home. Now it’s up to Longboaters: Is town history worth preserving?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran and Gov. Rick Scott
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 21, 2017
Scott, Corcoran: They are better than that

The two could have — and should have — settled their dispute long before the legislative session began.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 16, 2017
Players purchase: no

It may sound visionary to buy the Players Theatre property. But pragmatic analysis makes the case against it.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Joe Gruters and the president
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 14, 2017
Two of our own among top three for the Cabinet

Rep. Joe Gruters and homebuilder Pat Neal under consideration for CFO post under Scott.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Historian David McCullough and his wife, Rosalee, attended the annual Gulf Coast Community Foundation luncheon March 2 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • June 8, 2017
Is incivility the new norm?

These are not the most pleasant or stress-free of times.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
2
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
3
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
4
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee

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