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Sarasota | Opinion

Payne Park
  • By Joseph Bartel
  • May 15, 2019
My View: Reject the Sarasota Orchestra’s land grab in Payne Park

The group's argument that moving to the downtown-adjacent park is all about rising sea levels is absurd.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Pillar of Hope stands in the lobby of CPC’s Child Advocacy Center. After a child’s initial services, the child and a staff member drop a blue marble down the pillar to join other marbles, symbolizing they are not alone.
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • May 10, 2019
Prevention — proof it's protecting our children

As the Child Protection Center reaches its 40th year, new data showing the child abuse rate in Florida is declining prove that its services are working and must continue.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • May 6, 2019
Letters to the editor: Master plan project fits with Selby's goals

Sarasota area readers sound off on key issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rendering of an affordable housing project proposed by the late Sarasota entrepreneur Harvey Vengroff. Citing frustration with city regulations, Vengroff abandoned the idea after spending three years and $300,000 on it.
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • May 2, 2019
Affordable housing requires whole solution

The answer to Sarasota's lack of affordable housing is simple, but few communities are willing to commit to what's necessary.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • April 25, 2019
City advances thinking on marijuana charges

The city is contemplating civil charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The real benefit is the flexibility this would give law enforcement.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Now the city wants to spend $200 million in public and private funds on another park — this one on the bayfront.
  • By Joel Schleicher and Jonathan Mitchell
  • April 18, 2019
My View: City needs better governance, not a big park

Since 1974, the city’s spending has increased 420%. But in that time and with all that money, the City Commission repeatedly demonstrates irresponsible and dysfunctional leadership and management.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • April 14, 2019
My View: Why we need Mote's new aquarium

Mote’s proposed Science Education Aquarium in Benderson Park will further the region as a leading center for marine science, education and discoveries.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
What happens if Sarasota's bayfront park becomes a center of constant activity, similar to what has occurred, say, at Cincinnati’s Fountain Park? (Courtesy image)
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 12, 2019
Sarasota's overall strategy: Whack-a-mole!

Monday’s City Commission meeting agenda — with votes on the Bay Park and Fruitville Road — illustrates a helter-skelter strategy, which is no strategy. Table the Fruitville Road vote.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By E. Keith Dubose
  • April 10, 2019
My View: Let’s transform our social, cultural landscape

The ‘Purple Cow’ and bayfront were cool placees to go as a boy growing up in Sarasota. They still are. But they can be so much more.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The 2018 red tide bloom prompted action both by grassroots groups and politicians.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • April 10, 2019
Seek balance in red tide solutions

A lack of scientific data means there are no silver bullet solutions for red tide. Let’s strive to do the best we can with common sense.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Sarasota City Commission will once again consider an agreement with the Bay Park Conservancy to manage the 53 acres of bayfront surrounding the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 9, 2019
Commissioners: Sign the conservancy agreement

Yes, the city can hardly afford more financial burdens. But the best bet for the bayfront is to seize an opportunity that likely won’t come again.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 4, 2019
State amendments need transparency

Two bills would bring an end to Florida's confusing constitutional amendments.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • April 2, 2019
Letters to the editor

Readers sound off on key issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 29, 2019
Really? Straws take priority over pensions?

Sarasota City Commission has its priorities wrong.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 29, 2019
Teachers with guns

The thought of teachers carrying concealed firearms triggers passions against guns, but when you look at the details of Senate Bill 7030, it presents sensible safeguards. Data also convincingly show guns deter criminals.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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