My View

MY VIEW: Keel and Curley Winery clarifies zoning changes

June 5, 2014 By Clay Keel

As many of you may have heard, our family businesses, Keel and Curley Winery and Two Henrys Brewing Co., have recently been put under the microscope by the Hillsborough County zoning department. We have a couple of upcoming hearings that will greatly influence the success of our business going forward. Unfortunately, a few Hillsborough County […]

MY VIEW: Midtown redevelopment offers fresh vision for city

May 8, 2014 By Scott Toler

As a lifelong resident of Plant City, I am watching with satisfaction as we develop our new Midtown section. The spirit of renewal this brings to our special corner of America feels refreshing and revitalizing. The space already packs the potential for further beautification of this town we love. It seems that towns go through […]

MY VIEW: More focus required on dental health

April 3, 2014 By Observer Staff

By Jamie McGrogan One year ago, 100 children from Bryan Elementary School had lots to smile about. The Suncoast Community Health Centers, dentists and volunteers had provided dental care to these children who needed it the most. Dental-health providers are taking a step back from political aspects of service by giving of their time and […]

Courtney Singletary: Family, faith come first

February 13, 2014 By Michael Eng

Editor’s note: Since news broke of the city’s investigation into former Police Chief Steven Singletary, his wife, Courtney, has stood firmly by his and their children’s sides. Her dedication to her wedding vows never wavered — drawing both praise and criticism. Her path of choice is the more difficult one, but for Courtney, the decision […]

MY VIEW: ‘Meet me at the coffee shop’

January 30, 2014 By Scott Toler

As I sat with my wife, Lauri, playing checkers at a coffee shop here in town, I thought about the importance of having places for people to gather. Places like these help to create positive feelings of community and provide venues for discussion. If you look on the East Coast in cities from Savannah to […]

MY VIEW: Holidays a time to ‘think about things’

November 27, 2013 By Scott Toler

It seems few rituals stay with us these days, except for the holidays. We celebrate with parties, services and family gatherings. We come together, because we want to see people and because we honor the tradition behind the gathering. These times let us acknowledge that, at least once every year, we strengthen our ties to […]

MY VIEW: Small-town living is what is right with America

September 26, 2013 By Scott Toler

Growing up in Plant City, I remember people who contributed to the good life of our community, and I know people now who still make the lives we live here even better. That advantage is shared by anyone who grew up in a town that values a sense of place and the role that place […]

MY VIEW: Reading, regardless of platform, essential to ongoing education

August 22, 2013 By Scott Toler

No matter my age, the start of the school year stirs thoughts on the importance of education and the role reading and books play in learning. The rise of the digital world places a premium on interaction with phones and computers, but the act of reading itself remains essential to enhance the outlook of anyone’s […]

MY VIEW: Mislabeling a tragedy won’t bring solution

July 18, 2013 By George Newman

During the past month or so, I unashamedly admit that I stayed glued to the television, watching the George Zimmerman trial unfold. In doing so, I had the ability to record the trial and play back only what happened in the courtroom. I found the trial to be tragic, sometimes outrageous and extremely fascinating. The […]