The year in Voice of the People, 2025

The year 2025 began a few days after the death of former President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100. Readers rang in the new year to bid farewell to the Plainsman, reflecting on his humanitarian legacy while others celebrated or dreaded Donald Trump’s second inauguration. In letters sent by email or by putting pen to paper and tongue to envelope, you share your views as only you can on the news we chronicle. Today, we look back on the year through your words in the Voice of the People.

From the Bronx, Pauline Graham Binder paid tribute to Carter: “What a man. He was the epitome of loyalty, fidelity, decency and kindness. He was not a schoolyard bully.”

Jagjit Singh of Los Altos, California, welcomed the news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of relentless bloodshed, but his optimism was cautious.

“Ultimately, although the ceasefire provides for a temporary pause, the future of Gaza and the broader Palestinian cause remains uncertain,” he said.

As Trump returned to the Oval Office, JoAnn Lee Frank of Clearwater, Fla., looked forward to better days. “America is on track to become bigger, safer, stronger, more prosperous and prouder again,” she said.

David J. Melvin of Chester, New Jersey, predicted a more ominous turn of events “as ICE is now empowered to enter a church and arrest anyone who appears to ‘not belong here,'” he said. “Then we’ll have people stopped in the streets and asked to ‘show me your papers!’ » »

In Bellerose, Frederick R. Bedell Jr. mourned a loss close to home after learning of the death of another Voicer, Larry Penner. “I loved reading his opinions. Many of them were about the MTA, local businesses and restaurants,” he said. “God bless you, Larry, for a job well done.”

As politicians continued to wrestle in Washington over inflation, tariffs and energy policy, John L. Rienecker wrote from Glendale about how those issues were showing up in his utility bills.

“They charge me four and a half times more for delivery than for the gas itself. I want to know if it’s legal,” he said. “Same thing with Con Ed: My bill was $227, $79 for electricity and the rest for delivery. Soon they’ll be forcing me to sit in the dark and cold. I don’t even think the mafia charges that much for their services.”

Kayla Dasilva of Brooklyn, a high school student whose letters once filled the page, pointed out the economy’s impact on a local commodity: “Inflation in New York is becoming real. Dollar increments are decreasing in quality and increasing in price.”

And from the Bronx, Nancy Reilly reflected on Mayor Adams’ change in fortunes under the new president: “The only sitting mayor in New York history who was indicted on federal charges got a reprieve from his hero.” »

By the end of March, the headlines about civilians killed in Gaza had returned. Sid Sussman of Hallandale Beach, Florida, lamented the grim news.

“Even after dropping 85,000 tons of bombs, mainly supplied by the United States, which wiped out thousands of civilian lives, Israel renewed its fury and pledged to widen the destruction, once again laying siege to the killing fields of Gaza after declaring the ceasefire agreement null and void,” he said.

A month later, the world responded to the loss of another leader known for his humanitarian principles with the death of Pope Francis. Rose Mary Lancaster also in the Bronx: “The handsome gentleman had a conscience. I will miss him so much (even though I am Protestant).

From San Rafael, California, Robert A. Casper Sr. quickly celebrated the news of the arrival of America’s first pope. “He was elected to unite the country and the world again with faith, especially because he comes from America. The pope knows that Trump is a very Christian president, and he and the Vatican see Trump as a unifier,” he said.

In June, attention shifted to the confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two countries exchanged waves of unprecedented air attacks, drawing the United States into its first open hostilities with Tehran.

“No one wants to be at war, but no one wants an unstable regime that might detonate a nuclear weapon against Israel or the United States,” said Joseph V. Comperchio of Brooklyn.

Warren Davis of Olivebridge, N.Y., disagreed: “Suddenly Iran’s bomb-making capabilities are becoming real. The hawks are spreading their wings…the playbook for weapons of mass destruction, again. A new villain, a new political need.”

And facing a dramatic political upheaval at home in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary, Phil Serpico of Kew Gardens expressed skepticism: “In comes Mamdani, a virtual unknown, promising the moon and stars, and people responded to him like the legendary Pied Piper.” »

In July, fans of late-night TV learned they were going to have to say goodbye to one of its most high-profile hosts.

“CBS can spin it however they want. We all know that The Stephen Colbert show was canceled as part of the settlement with Donald Trump,” said Barbara Haynes of CCharlotte, North Carolina

As summer ended, eight months into Trump’s second term drew a harsh assessment from LI’s Lynbrook. Barbara Sobey of the country’s leadership

“I thought we couldn’t treat people in such an inhumane way anymore,” she said. “People who are working hard and just trying to improve their lives and the lives of their families are being taken away by ICE – without trial, simply deported, or sent to places like the Florida concentration camp, surrounded by alligators.”

In just a few days, US military strikes against small boats accused by the administration of drug trafficking have become a new source of concern for Ken Derow of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania: “Trump and Hegseth now act as judge, jury and executioner. »

On the eve of the 9/11 commemoration, the assassination of a prominent political figure laid bare the severity of his division, according to Brooklyn’s Alan Podhaizer.

“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy. Unfortunately, political violence is commonplace,” he said.

In November, a potentially seismic shift in the city’s leadership became official.

“Wham! Bham! Thanks Mam(dani)!” applauded Lawrence Krasner of Queens Village. “It’s a new day for New York and the nation.”

From Central Islip, LI, Thomas Sarc warned: “Now New York is in trouble!” » But in Brooklyn, Ellen Levitt avoided the catastrophic dictum: “I may not be satisfied with the outcome of the mayoral election, but I also believe that New York City will endure. New York is forever.”

With health insurance subsidies set to end in 2025, threatening the health care of millions of Americans, Jamie H. Bassel of Manhattan has predicted a full-blown catastrophe in 2026: “Eliminating these subsidies will lead to the collapse of our health care system as we know it,” she said.

No matter what happens, we’ll be here to keep you informed, and Voice of the People is your place to keep us and each other informed about what this all means for you. Stay well and stay in touch.