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Opinion

Longboat Key pioneers and founders of the Longboat Key Art Center, from left, Arthur Ferguson, Grace Yerkes, Allis Ferguson and George Yerkes.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 17, 2017
It took a Village

The birth of the Longboat Key Art Center in 1952 illustrates what can happen when old-fashioned friendships, volunteerism and community spirit combine. Perhaps that can work again.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Sodium nitrates are added to processed meat to act as a preservative. Once the nitrates are in the body, they can form nitrosamines, which are chemical compounds that are carcinogenic.
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • May 11, 2017
The myths — and truths — of summer

Three points to ponder at the temperature rises.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Bayfront Park Recreation Center was formerly the tennis clubhouse at the Far Horizons Resort.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2017
Unfinished jewel

It took $3.5 million and 14 years — 14 years! — to renovate Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park. But the one amenity that has been and is used the most is still the same old inadequate building.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gov. Rick Scott
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 10, 2017
Legislature vs. Scott: Time will tell

There will be a time to remember

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • May 6, 2017
Sand sculptors compete on Siesta Key

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources hosted the 45th annual Amateur Sand Sculpture Contest on May 6 on Siesta Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trump needs to spell out how he’s going to drain the Washington spending swamp.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
Tale of two tax cuts

When Trump’s opponents rant about tax cuts being for the wealthy, it’s a fake argument. Meanwhile, raising Florida’s homestead exemption has consequences lawmakers ignore.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
State Sen. Greg Steube
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
Veto Sen. Steube’s bill

Sarasota Sen. Greg Steube isn’t afraid to go against what is popular for what he thinks is right. But on two measures — public records and home rule — he should recalibrate his positions.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
They look good, while you suffer from the results

Legislature wants to ask voters to raise homestead exemption

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Observer recommends voting for Hagan Brody Hyde, left, and Martin Hyde.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
Observer recommends

Early voting is underway in Sarasota City Council race

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2017
Working hard and barely making it

'It's expensive to be poor'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2017
Readers sound off on Sarasota-area issues

Meals on Wheels, climate change, downtown traffic are addressed.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Dave Bullock, left, and Juan Florensa are retiring in January.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2017
Succession planning at Town Hall

Key has two big positions to fill

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A proposal to relocate a historic Longboat Key cottage to a more visible location could backfire, a letter-writer says.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2017
Letters to the Editor for Longboat Observer

Readers sound off on key issues

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 27, 2017
Sarasota County works in concert with its neighbors

Partnerships show that the proper stewardship of public dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Letter writer says Sen. Greg Steube is "pandering to the rental industry, not representing your constituents."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 27, 2017
Sarasota readers sound off on the issues

Siesta trolley needs to move faster.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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