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Sarasota | Opinion

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2011
Our View: Institute yes, tax support no

There is a lot to like in the Institute for the Ages. It draws on one of our area's strengths that is not well-utilized.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 3, 2011
My View: Give school boards more control

The nearly 40-year-old, school-funding program de-links those who set tax rates with those who spend the money. This erases accountability.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 28, 2011
Our View: A grand parking solution

Most rational people agree that parking is not free. Whether it is downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle or Westfield Southgate Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Merrill
  • By David Merrill
  • July 28, 2011
My View: Schools: a vision renewed?

Something went wrong with the promise to use the extra school tax Sarasota County voters approved to make the school district "world class." The money poured in, but the scores declined.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 27, 2011
My View: The good news on jobs

In the relentless trashing by the mainstream media of everything Gov. Rick Scott does, there has been some pretty great news ignored lately.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2011
Our View: Put land buying on hold

If the government buying up land in Sarasota County for environmental protection is not a low priority in this economy, nothing is. And it may be a growing risk.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 20, 2011
My View: It's not a 'drain,' it's a wash

A recent news story reveals a misunderstanding of how the economics work. Employees contributing to their pensions doesn't lessen the economy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2011
Our view: Poor decisions drive budget

Sarasota's new city commissioners knew they had some tough going ahead of them following the spending and promises of previous commissions. Residents also had a hint, electing at least two new commissioners bent on reining in spending and government scope.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By George Rauch
  • July 14, 2011
Market Watch: Debt causes direction of market to stay questionable

Right now, even though the market has sold off recently, we remain in what is technically called a bull market. Under current economic circumstances, it's amazing the market is not at half of its current value of 12,250 points.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2011
Our View: What about the taxpayer?

As is all too common, an important party has not been at the table in the negotiations between the Manatee County School District and the Manatee Education Association.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Our View: Sell Payne Park

The city of Sarasota is working diligently on a marketing and spending plan to get people to Payne Park, an underutilized city facility. In fact, the city is looking at many ways to attract people to the park, which since its opening four years ago has been a disappointment.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Sarasota County got Benderson right

The Sarasota County Commission was right to eliminate the Benderson's affordable housing provision. But there is a bigger issue involved.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Kalahar
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Reality check for schools

To add insult to injury, schools spent their financial windfall in hard cash, while homeowners watched the equity of their property plummet as the housing bubble burst.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Merrill
  • By David Merrill
  • June 23, 2011
My View: More money is no answer

Rod Thomson's recent editorial, "Reforms, Not Money, Working," was spot-on. His argument that money hasn't led to increased test scores in our educational system is true both at the international level and at our local level.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Thomson
  • By Rod Thomson
  • June 23, 2011
My View: Setting the vote straight

There are some issues that have been so badly reported, where the bias is so entrenched and the media agenda so intertwined in news stories, that it is difficult to unravel things enough to make a cogent argument. Everyone's mind appears already made up with insufficient information.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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