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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 18, 2016
Make beach parkers pay

The renovated facilities at Siesta Key Beach are a smart investment — improving infrastructure and a crucial economic driver. Next to be addressed: Pay for parking.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 17, 2016
Town taxes will go up

Beach renourishment: $17 million. Underground utility lines: maybe $49 million. And now this: As much as $3.5 million for a new fire station. It’s the price for paradise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Pineapple Park during the farmers market
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 11, 2016
Privatize Pineapple Park?

The Sarasota City Commission made the right choice to sell the parcel next to the park. But why not go all the way? Sell the park to the developer or its supporters.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 10, 2016
Remove the crosswalks

They’re a safety hazard. Longboat Key was safer without them.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Fred Bethke submitted this photo of a sunset at Spanish Main Yacht Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: Feb. 4

Fred Bethke submitted this photo of a sunset at Spanish Main Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 4, 2016
Puppies trump people

When the Sarasota County Commission voted to ban puppy and kitten sales from retail pet stores, they confiscated Brad Parker’s property. He has a case for a taking.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 3, 2016
Change the lights to red

Classic: Longboat residents are worried someone will be killed at the new crosswalks. But rather than change yellow lights to red, the state wants to conduct forums.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 3, 2016
Tuesday’s speeches were defining moments

Sen. Ted Cruz won the Iowa Republican caucuses

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 28, 2016
Thunder by the Bay II

Suncoast Charities for Children has a challenge: How to turn downtown business owners and residents into fans of the annual event. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2016
CONA offers lesson about value of historic property

Is your home or building 50 years old? If so, you should attend the Sarasota County Coalition of Neighborhood Association meeting Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 27, 2016
How to end the jihad

Don’t forget: The 9/11 terrorists trained in Venice. Today, the jihadists are worse than ever. Editor Craig Biddle argues that not wiping them out “is a moral attrocity.”

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 21, 2016
Rev ’em up; let ’em roll

Don’t let the naysayers chase Thunder by the Bay out of downtown. The festival’s departure would be a loss for the entire community.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 20, 2016
A show of backbone

It was a creative idea to help reduce underground utility assessments for those who will pay the most. But what you give to one meant increasing costs for others.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 14, 2016
The $1 billion tax cut

Gov. Scott’s critics say cutting taxes for business ignores average Floridians. They fail to see that businesses don’t pay taxes. Lower taxes actually help the average Floridian.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 14, 2016
Moving city elections to November will improve turnout, accountability

Former Sarasota political consultant Gabriel Hament lays out the case to move city elections.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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