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Sarasota | Opinion

Inspired by the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High following the mass shooting at the school Feb. 14, Sarasota students joined a national conversation on how to change the way we handle school security.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 22, 2018
Fact: More guns, less crime

Under the pressure of the moment, state lawmakers had to act. To their credit, they addressed mental health and school safety. The one flaw: banning the under-21s.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Alex Kompothecras, Juliette Porter, Pauly Apostildes, Madisson Hausburg, Chloe Trautman, Garrett Miller, Kelsey Owens and Brandon Gomes star in “Siesta Key” on MTV.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • March 15, 2018
The reality of Siesta Key’s reality show

Many readers groan at the mere mention of MTV’s ‘Siesta Key.’ So why do we write about it at all?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 8, 2018
The price to earn an ‘A’

Sarasota’s school tax vote is a ‘renewal ritual.’ But for the new school tax to pass in Manatee, voters need to see a dramatic change. Two of its board members should resign.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 1, 2018
Sarasota letters to the editor

Readers sound off on the issues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium plans to build its new structure at Nathan Benderson Park near University Town Center.
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 1, 2018
Mote location decision a cause for reflection

Sarasota City Commission is reaping what it sowed.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
File photo
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • February 22, 2018
How do we keep our kids safe?

The terrifying event in Parkland has everyone thinking about school security. But amid the aftermath, is our fear driving us to focus on the wrong thing?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 15, 2018
Power to the local people

Government is best closest to the people.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Alison Foxall, 29, Libertarian candidate for House District 72
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 8, 2018
Break the political cycle

The usual tactics of the major political parties have turned the District 72 candidates into caricatures and turned off voters. Here’s an opportunity for a new voice.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Columnist .
  • February 8, 2018
A generational legacy in the making

The future of the Bay is being shaped right now.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • February 1, 2018
The Promise and Pitfalls of Form-Based Codes

There are reasons less than 1% of American cities use form-based codes. They are tricky to implement and definitely not a panacea.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
John Norcross is the author of "Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing Your Goals and Resolutions."
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • January 25, 2018
Ch-ch-ch changes

You have to be all in if you really want to change, one expert says

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 18, 2018
Cleaning house

Proceeds from the sale of public property should be used to pay down debt, not finance budget shortfalls.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Clockwise from top left: Gil Waters in victory after the opening of the new Ringling Bridge, August 2003. Waters and city engineer Alex Davis-Shaw. Waters and his wife, Elisabeth. “The Old Coots Lunch Bunch.”
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 10, 2018
Tribute to a visionary

For nearly 60 years, Gil Waters was a force in Sarasota. Thanks to his passion, vision and determination, we have the ‘Gil Waters Bridge,’ the Van Wezel and FCCI Insurance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Larry Eger | Chair of Decide the Date Sarasota
  • January 4, 2018
City voters should decide when city elections are held

Off-year voting dilutes minority and young voter influence.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2017
We’re Main Street; not ‘mainstream’

The national news media have smeared all of journalism, while the media tech giants admit they ‘are destroying how society works.’ Whom can you trust? Some of us still place a high value on credibility, reliability and trustworthiness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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