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Opinion

Our View
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2015
Our View: The spirit of liberty defined

We publish our annual “Spirit of America” section — with the hope we can capture and keep alive some of the values and characteristics that have defined American exceptionalism since our nation’s founding 239 years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 25, 2015
OUR VIEW | The ‘taking’ of your property

In Sarasota, often times it doesn’t matter what you own, or what city codes entitle you to do. Complainers trump property rights.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 24, 2015
OUR VIEW | how to address the noise

Inform the revelers. If they know they can be fined or jailed, they’ll change their behavior.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 18, 2015
Letters to the Editor 6.18.15

Mixed-use would be great option for shopping center; Tree task force will help neighborhoods retain character.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 17, 2015
OUR VIEW | Beware of expansion

Expanding the Downtown Improvement District to the Rosemary District is a formula for strife.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 17, 2015
OUR VIEW | $682 million for what?

Over 10 years, Longboat Key taxpayers have sent all that money to Manatee and Sarasota. Surely more of it can come back.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Major League Football will head to Lakewood Ranch for spring training in February.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 17, 2015
Major League Football will have major impact on the area

The inaugural Major League Football announced this month it will bring more than 1,000 people to Lakewood Ranch for spring training and located its headquarters there. Local businesses couldn’t be more thrilled.

  • East County
  • News
Glen Cappetta owns Sun Ride Pedicab on Siesta Key. File photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 11, 2015
OUR VIEW | Leave Siesta’s pedicabs alone

Mostly unregulated, pedicabs are flourishing and providing a great service on Siesta Key. No surprise: Talk of regulation is rising, too.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sad dilemma: The St. Judes Drive seawall
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2015
OUR VIEW | Should you do fiber optic, too?

Let’s be honest: If you studied the graphic on page 3 of last week’s Longboat Observer, you probably swallowed hard or your eyes bugged out at the cost of installing underground utility lines per household.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 4, 2015
Letter to the Editor

The Great Divide: Let’s go unitary

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 4, 2015
OUR VIEW | More Medicaid: Federal ransom

The call of media editorialists, state senators and altruists for expanding Obamacare’s Medicaid program in Florida remains a cacophonous drumbeat of pots and pans.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 3, 2015
MY VIEW | Tennis Center deserves town investment

There have been a lot of recent comments and opinions about the Public Tennis Center lately.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 3, 2015
OUR VIEW | A seminal moment for LBK

Judging from the full house Monday night in the Longboat Key Town Commission Chambers, you easily could have concluded before the night began that the commission was about to address a controversial issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2015
OUR VIEW | You want affordable housing?

Like many relatively wealthy and desirable communities, Sarasota is not a place where affordable housing is easy to find. Of course, that depends on your definition of affordable.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 27, 2015
OUR VIEW | More Medicaid: Federal ransom

The call of media editorialists, state senators and altruists for expanding Obamacare’s Medicaid program in Florida remains a cacophonous drumbeat of pots and pans.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

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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.
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Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
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Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
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Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
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New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
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Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
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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

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