• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Opinion

At this week’s City Commission meeting, Doug Logan presented a conceptual plan to address the 300 to 400 chronic homeless people in the city.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 6, 2015
Common sense on homeless

Sarasota city’s homeless director, Doug Logan, created a conceptual business model that has merit. Crucial to implementation and success: someone to own the challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 29, 2015
House always wins

The Seminole gaming compact and Florida lottery create a dichotomous hypocrisy. To limit gambling in Florida, ‘the state’ is the biggest operator and purveyor of gambling.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 15, 2015
A worthy investment

Underground utilities lines are like business assets: You must reinvest in them to stay competitive and add value.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2015
Our next president?

What a sad commentary that a man who espouses a government that confiscates your life and your property is gaining traction.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Tree removal prompts more questions

Creekwood resident Elizabeth Sullivan questions the value of the new diverging diamond interchange under construction.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 1, 2015
Beware of the mob

Animal-rights proponents are pressuring Sarasota County commissioners to shut down retail pet stores’ puppy and kitty sales. There are other effective ways to reach the goal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran. File photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 24, 2015
'The enemy is always ... us!'

Florida’s House speaker designate got it right: Lawmakers are the problem, not special interests.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 10, 2015
A deal with the devils

After 9/11, Americans united in pursuit of justice. They still want it. The Iran nuclear deal and Senate minority defy the people’s wishes and ignore the obvious truth.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 2, 2015
OUR VIEW | Remembrance of a Longboat Key icon

Former Mayor Dr. Hal Lenobel died at age 91.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Pat and Sen. Bob Johnson
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 2, 2015
OUR VIEW | Sarasota statesman

It’s not overstating to say Bob Johnson would rank among the top five individuals who, over the past half-century, have been dedicated to the betterment of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 26, 2015
MY VIEW | Bobby Jones: Sell it

The national trend is for municipally owned golf courses to be sold. Selling Bobby Jones to a developer could help solve the city’s debt and affordable housing issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 26, 2015
OUR VIEW | Manatee tax dilemma

County Administrator Ed Hunzeker says the county’s reserves will be depleted by 2018 if it keeps balancing its budget with them. He hopes a task force will face the reality.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 20, 2015
The dirty Clean Power Plan

Every choice the president and Congress make is a trade-off, not a solution. Once again, the states are usurped.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bill Nelson
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 11, 2015
Another appeaser

In spite of the American people’s overwhelming opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson claims there is ‘no other available alternative.’ He’s voting for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 6, 2015
City pension reform can’t wait

You have seen many times in these pages that the city of Sarasota has more than $150 million in unfunded liabilities in the city-employee pension systems. 

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
« 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
3
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
4
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it
5
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

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now