• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday 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
  • LWR 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
  • LWR 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota | Opinion

Nathan Benderson Park (File photo)
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 16, 2020
Bending the numbers for Benderson Park

How trustworthy are indirect economic benefits?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 8, 2020
2019 is a case for change

Three big decisions by the Sarasota City Commission definitively demonstrated that the city’s leadership structure doesn’t work. As the city matures, it needs a leader.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 1, 2020
2020 word of the year: Make it a ‘Golden’ year

Given the past three years of strife in Washington, one word that comes to mind is ‘stop’ — as ‘Stop it!’ But a better approach is to take the high road: the Golden Rule.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Mark Huey is stepping down as president and CEO of Sarasota's Economic Development Corp. (File photo)
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 12, 2019
There should be one EDC for Sarasota and Manatee counties

The board of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota has an opportunity to innovate. Consolidating with Manatee makes sense.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2019
Clean up messes before beginning a search

Interim Superintendent Mitsi Corcoran needs financial support to clean the school district's lawsuits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • December 5, 2019
What is the best way for diners to know if a restaurant is clean?

Posted letter grades provide a simple way to show diners if a restaurant is safe, but they are just a snapshot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 20, 2019
Redistricting Sarasota County is a no-win proposition

To redistrict now or wait doesn’t matter. The outcome will be the same: lawsuits and a government that weakens voters’ voices.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • November 13, 2019
How to make budgets useful for taxpayers

State and local government budget reporting should shift away from inputs and focus on performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 7, 2019
Sarasota needs more visionary leaders to get things done

The Selby and school board decisions are convincing evidence Sarasotans deserve much better.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 31, 2019
Beware of the vitriol

Don’t let the vitriolic hyperbole about Selby’s restaurant cloud the bigger picture. Every concession weakens Selby’s ability to achieve long-term sustainability.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Thomas Luzier
  • October 23, 2019
My View: Time for a reality check on Selby

Not in my backyard opposition to master plan has played out to an extreme.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 23, 2019
Sarasota County School Board must leave a positive legacy

Superintendent Todd Bowden’s handling of the sexual harassment charges against the district COO demonstrates he is not a good fit, nor fit for the job.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 17, 2019
The $15 minimum wage: What does it mean for Florida?

Floridians are likely to be voting in 2020 to mandate a 77% increase in Florida’s minimum wage. Don’t be fooled. It would be destructive to all Floridians — lost jobs, less service, higher prices.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 10, 2019
Sarasota government, school board bodies are doing a disservice to taxpayers

Every summer and fall, our government bodies produce enormous budget books with every last detail of how they’re spending your money. But it’s an exercise in confusion.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • October 3, 2019
Should we stop worrying and learn to love the roundabouts?

Florida has more roundabouts than any other state, but that doesn't mean locals and snowbirds are more comfortable with them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
« 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 »
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 in Sarasota

1
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
2
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
3
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
4
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
5
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament

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 © 2025 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