Opinion | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Opinion

By Matt Walsh
January 25, 2023

What is ‘effective’ notice?

Florida’s Republican lawmakers hate the daily newspapers and for 25 years have sought to end laws requiring public notices in newspapers. Their answer: Let government control public notice. Ha!

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
January 18, 2023

Do or die for New College

With his recent appointments to the New College board, Gov. DeSantis has put the school on notice that it can no longer do what it has been doing. There is a better strategy for the future.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Jorge Blanco
January 11, 2023

The Castaway

Sarasota and internationally known artist Jorge Blanco has returned to the Observer by way of his clever little character The Castaway.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Adrian Moore, Geoffrey Lawrence
January 11, 2023

Nikki Fried is right to sue for medical marijuana patients’ gun rights

Although federal law prohibits marijuana use, it doesn’t give it grounds to discriminate against marijuana users.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
January 5, 2023

Wake up. Have hope.

Our word for 2023 is "hope." We all must have hope — hope that our fellow Americans wake up to what is being done to them. History shows us the power of hope. It propels us to take action.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Emily Walsh
December 28, 2022

Vision 2023

As we move into the new year, Observer Media Group remains committed to its vision statement: Innovate and elevate.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
December 14, 2022

Hearing the stories of families who lost loved ones during the pandemic was a gut-wrenching baptism for SMH’s new board members. But they responded the right way. Rather than look for blame, they chose to learn.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
December 14, 2022

DeSantis’ political future? It’s property insurance

Long after Gov. Ron DeSantis is gone from Florida politics, his legacy will be tied to the issue Florida legislators are addressing this week in Tallahassee: property insurance.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Tramm Hudson
December 8, 2022

SMH Board chair vows to impartially examine COVID-19 response

A report is expected on what went right, what went wrong and what the hospital system can learn.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Adrian Moore, Vittorio Nastasi
December 7, 2022

It’s time for Florida to stop relying on ‘taxation by citation’

Relying on fees and fines as a source of recurring revenue isn’t sustainable and should be reconsidered.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
December 1, 2022

The school board blew it

Sarasota school board members and Superintendent Aspen showed how not to operate as a competent board and poised leader.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
November 17, 2022

DeSantis should not run

Gov. Ron DeSantis should be insistent that he was just reelected as governor, and the citizens of Florida expect him to do the job they elected him to do.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Emily Walsh
November 9, 2022

Instructions from Ian

While we await the effects of Tropical Storm Nicole, we should take heed of the lessons we learned from Hurricane Ian.

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Adrian Moore
November 2, 2022

Public pensions: No to ESG

More and more governments are forgetting their fiduciary responsibilities and engaging in ESG investing. While activist investing is fine for private investors, it is not for governments.

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Matt Walsh
October 27, 2022

A vote to save the republic

Our final installment of recommendations for the Nov. 8 elections.

Sarasota
Opinion

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What is ‘effective’ notice?

Do or die for New College

The Castaway

Nikki Fried is right to sue for medical marijuana patients’ gun rights

Wake up. Have hope.

Vision 2023

Right step for SMH board

DeSantis’ political future? It’s property insurance

SMH Board chair vows to impartially examine COVID-19 response

It’s time for Florida to stop relying on ‘taxation by citation’

The school board blew it

DeSantis should not run

Instructions from Ian

Public pensions: No to ESG

A vote to save the republic

Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2022-23

Sarasota High coach reaches 300-win mark at varsity level

Where to find the hidden nightlife in Sarasota, Longboat

Police called after disturbance over bad haircut

Red tide status in Sarasota, Manatee counties

Verified Audit