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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 8, 2016
Remember this vote

Four Longboat Key commissioners gave up a cap on firefighter pension payments in favor of obligating taxpayers to more risk and more cost. How did that work before?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 8, 2016
Ill effects of limiting hospital competition

Imagine you’re ready to start a business

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jennifer Kovatch captured this close-up of a small alligator in the pond behind her home in Greenbrook Trails.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2016
East County weather page photo: June 2

Jennifer Kovatch captured this close-up of a small alligator in the pond behind her home in Greenbrook Trails.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2016
What’s the plan?

Year-round Sarasotans enjoy the pace of summer. But although it is more relaxed, you still hear residents asking: What’ s the grand plan to head off the coming traffic crisis?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2016
Will Rubio run?

Can a tiger change its stripes?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 1, 2016
LBK firefighters light up

The town’s previous contract with its firefighters union was a model for Florida cities. It capped pension costs. The new contract, if approved, regresses on pensions and raises.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Shelley Barker took this photo near the Longboat Key Post Office.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 26, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: May 26

Shelley Barker took this photo near the Longboat Key Post Office.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 26, 2016
Profile in courage

Congratulations to Sarasota County commissioners. They said no to crony capitalism. That doesn’t mean we’re anti-business. It means we don’t believe in unearned benefits.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 26, 2016
Everyone loses with new overtime rules

Here’s another loss to productivity and the American spirit to get ahead.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 25, 2016
Re-orient ourselves on turtles

Longboat Key’s proposed ordinance with stricter beach lighting requirements can be viewed as more government reach. But helping hatchlings can also be a selling point.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 25, 2016
REMEMBER THE FALLEN: MAY 30

Memorial Day was first observed May 30, 1868.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Carol Siegler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2016
Open letter: Don't forget horrors of Castro regime

Americans, as well as Cubans, have suffered in the decades following the Cuban revolution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Dogs’ smiling faces can alleviate stress and form healthful connections — just ask Stanley and Puppet, two of the author’s pups. Photo by Kristine Nickel
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2016
Want to get healthy? Get a dog.

Not only will a canine friend help you get more exercise, he can also help liven your mood and improve your overall well-being.

  • Health
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 4, 2016
How the beat the traffic

Bike lanes, public transit and a narrower Fruitville won’t solve Sarasota’s traffic congestion. Fact is, expanding capacity on the most congested roads is the way to go.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 28, 2016
Another test on housing

The Sarasota City Commission is expected to vote Monday on Harvey Vengroff’s affordable apartment project. An independent study sees it as a national model.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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