Where Sarasota Speaks
Welcome to Voices, the heart of our community conversation
Sarasota's greatest strength isn't our world-famous beaches, our thriving cultural scene, or our year-round sunshine—it's our people. The teachers who inspire the next generation, the retirees who volunteer countless hours, the young professionals building new businesses, the artists creating in studios across the city, the longtime residents who remember when downtown was different, and the newcomers bringing fresh perspectives to our community.
Voices is where these perspectives come together, where Sarasota residents share their stories, insights, and visions for our city.
Your Platform, Your Stories
What is Voices? Voices is a resident-driven section where community members write about the issues, experiences, and ideas that matter most to them. This isn't just letters to the editor—these are thoughtful, engaging pieces that reflect the full spectrum of life in Sarasota.
Who Can Contribute? Every Sarasota resident has a story worth telling. Whether you've lived here for decades or just arrived, whether you're a business owner or a student, a parent or grandparent, an artist or engineer—your voice matters to this community.
What We're Looking For
Personal Experiences
- Your journey to Sarasota and what keeps you here
- How the city has changed through your eyes
- Moments that define what it means to live here
- Challenges you've overcome with community support
Community Issues
- Thoughtful perspectives on local development and growth
- Environmental concerns and conservation ideas
- Traffic, infrastructure, and quality of life topics
- Housing, affordability, and community planning
Cultural Reflections
- What makes Sarasota's arts scene unique
- Favorite hidden gems and why they matter
- Community traditions worth preserving
- New cultural movements taking root
Neighborhood Stories
- Life in your corner of Sarasota
- Neighbors who make a difference
- Local businesses that define your community
- Changes you've witnessed in your area
Solutions and Ideas
- Creative approaches to community challenges
- Volunteer experiences and why they matter
- Business innovations helping our community
- Educational initiatives making a difference
Guidelines for Contributors
We Welcome:
- Personal narratives that connect to broader community themes
- Well-researched opinion pieces on local issues
- Profiles of interesting community members
- Historical perspectives on Sarasota's evolution
- Creative takes on daily life in our city
Writing Style:
- Conversational but thoughtful tone
- 500-800 words typically work best
- Personal experience combined with broader insight
- Respectful of different viewpoints and experiences
Topics We Encourage:
- Stories that help us understand each other better
- Ideas for improving our community
- Celebrations of what makes Sarasota special
- Honest discussions about challenges we face together
Recent Community Conversations
The topics Sarasota residents are discussing:
- Balancing growth with the character that drew us here
- Creating affordable housing while maintaining quality
- Protecting our environment as development continues
- Building bridges between longtime residents and newcomers
- Supporting local businesses in changing economic times
- Enhancing public transportation and walkability
- Preserving historic neighborhoods while embracing progress
How to Contribute
Submission Process:
- Write your piece with Sarasota residents in mind
- Include a brief bio (2-3 sentences about yourself)
- Submit through our website or bring to our office
- Our team will review and work with you on any edits
- Published pieces will credit you as the author
What Happens Next:
- We'll respond to all submissions within one week
- If selected, we may suggest minor edits for clarity or length
- Published pieces become part of our community archive
- Contributors join our network of community voices
Upcoming Voices Features
Themes We're Exploring:
- "Why I Chose Sarasota" - newcomer perspectives
- "Sarasota Then and Now" - longtime resident reflections
- "Hidden Sarasota" - lesser-known places and stories
- "Community Solutions" - resident ideas for local challenges
- "Neighborhood Chronicles" - area-specific stories and observations
The Power of Community Voices
In an era of divisive discourse, Voices creates space for thoughtful community conversation. Here, we can disagree respectfully, learn from each other's experiences, and work together on the challenges and opportunities facing our city.
Your neighbor might have insights you haven't considered. The business owner down the street might share concerns that resonate with your own. The teacher at your child's school might have ideas that could benefit the whole community.
These conversations happen every day in coffee shops, at the farmers market, during evening walks along the bayfront. Voices brings them to the broader community, creating connections and understanding across our diverse city.
Voices appears weekly in Siesta Times, featuring one or two resident-contributed pieces that reflect the diversity and depth of our community.
This Week's Voice: Coming this Wednesday, longtime Siesta Key resident Maria Rodriguez shares her perspective on how hurricane preparedness has evolved in our coastal community, and what newcomers should know about living with our beautiful but powerful weather patterns.
Ready to share your voice? Visit our website to learn more about contributing to Voices, or stop by our office during business hours. Every story matters in Sarasota.