The runoff election for two Plant City Commission seats is coming over Memorial Day weekend.Voting is at City Hall with early voting on May 22 and 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. And Election Day on May 26 from 7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m. Qualities I expect for such a candidate are as follows: *proven […]
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 04.30.26
Plant City is my hometown; I was born here. In fact, I was born over Herring Drug Store, now known as Whistle Stop. We didn’t have a hospital, but plans were being made to build one. We needed a hospital to meet the needs of our growing community. My wife, Pec, and I were blessed […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 02.19.26
A Group of Walden Lake Residents Speak Out Dear Editor: We are a group of concerned residents from the Walden Lake Community Association who were saddened and confused to learn of the sudden termination of Bette Guarino, our longtime office administrator. For almost 20 years, Bette was a steady, familiar presence that residents depended on. […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 11.13.25
On November 11th, the Rotary Club of Plant City hosted Quilts of Valor at their noon lunch event. I am touched by the presentation and wish to take a minute. to share with the club what most members did not see and didn’t understand. I served in the 1970s right at the end of the […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 10.30.25
Plant City NOKINGS Rally #2 The NO KINGS protests are organized by organizations such as Indivisible, 50501, the Third Act Movement, and other progressive organizations. These protests consist of regular working people across America exhibiting their frustration and anger against authoritarian policies of Donald Trump and his administration’s ongoing corruption. Protesters have been expressing concern […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 07.31.25
Dear Editor, Regarding the recent discussions at the Police Community Meeting, as reported in the June 26, 2025, edition of the Observer, about homelessness and community services in Plant City, I would like to highlight the mission and positive impact of the Friends in the Park feeding program. While concerns have been raised about the […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 05.29.25
Dear Observer, I honestly don’t know where else to turn for help, so I am writing you in the hopes that someone will listen. My name is Betty Bush. My husband, Harry, and I are homebound and cannot drive. We have lived at 117 Myrtle Lane, just off Swindell Road in Plant City, for over […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 05.15.25
Tax Mechanisms and Ethics If one goes down the rat hole of economic theories and morality discussions regarding various tax mechanisms the issues get predictably muddied with paralysis of analysis. The systems are often like a small aquarium of competing pretty fish and snails in that, if you don’t change the water often and then shortly […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 05.08.25
Dear Editor, You can do a quick search right now…Picklball/Florida/Lawsuits. Certainly, Citizens of Plant City want Pickleball. It is a sport that has been played in all 50 states since 1990! No, the residents surrounding this already existing park do NOT want it right across the street from their bedrooms! We have been telling the […]
Continue ReadingLetter to the Editor 03.13.25
Walden Lake, the shining star of Plant City, has been part of our great city for almost 50 yrs. But, it didn’t just happen. The property was peppered with lakes ponds, and sink holes, basically worthless, not buildable, and not called Walden Lake. In fact there is a body of water called Mud Lake. Mr. […]
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