A landmark church with plenty of life in it yet

Manhattan: In the op-ed “A crumbling church can help our flocks” dated Oct. 12, Pastor Daniel Rivera advocates for the demolition of the West Park Presbyterian Church. He argues that the Landmarks Preservation Commission should allow its removal, claiming the deteriorating condition prevents it from serving as a spiritual or community space. He suggests that selling the property could fund a social justice initiative, aligning with the Bible’s teachings on “charitable works.”

However, Rivera seems to overlook the Biblical principle of honesty (John 8:32). He likely knows that an independent engineer, along with three other design experts enlisted by the commission, concluded that the church is structurally sound and could be restored within months. Before the Presbytery evicted its main tenants, the church was active, hosting regular services and daily arts events. The commission verifies that the church is a vital part of the Upper West Side’s heritage. The Presbytery’s attempt to misrepresent the building’s condition to justify its demolition is troubling. Additionally, in May, a nonprofit organization, The Center at West-Park, proposed to finance the full restoration and offered $30,000 monthly rent for the church, including shared use of the sanctuary.

Regarding the Presbytery’s newfound focus on a social justice fund, it raises concerns reminiscent of so-called “community-benefit agreements.” According to the Community Benefits Law Center, such agreements often leave communities believing they’ve secured binding commitments when they haven’t. Allowing The Center to both restore and rent the church could enable the Presbytery to establish its social justice fund through rental income — a much better solution than converting the landmark into luxury condos that few can afford. Councilwoman Gale Brewer and Michael Hiller

Ironwoman of N.J.

Brooklyn: Natalie Grabow, aged 80, managed to complete the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, with a time of 16 hours and 45 minutes. Her achievement involved a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26-mile run. What an incredible accomplishment! Louie Scarcella

This is no achievement

Briarwood: I would like to succinctly highlight the disaster of the Israeli-American conflict in Gaza. In the past two years, the U.S. supported this colonialist effort with $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 67,869 Palestinians, including 20,000 children. Between 61% to 90% of those killed were civilians, not Hamas militants, and 186,000 are either injured, missing, or deceased due to war-related causes. A staggering 90% of the 2.2 million Palestinians experienced displacement. This orchestrated ethnic cleansing of Palestine serves Israeli and American geopolitical interests. This treaty, directed by real estate moguls Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, offers no justice for the indigenous Palestinian population. The U.S. Department of War is now deploying 200 troops to the Gaza Strip. Donald Trump seems to be following in the footsteps of Andrew Jackson, who orchestrated the removal of Native American tribes for America’s “Manifest Destiny” through a system built on slavery. It’s genocide revisited. Joseph N. Manago

What’s his motive?

Manhattan: I feel immense joy for the release of hostages and the prospect of peace in Gaza. However, I have a persistent question: Why was Trump so deeply involved? What might he gain? He’s never acted selflessly before. I’m open to changing my viewpoint about him depending on future developments. Joie Anderson

Puppet-master peace

Bellerose: Two grifters, Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, would like the world to believe they are its greatest peacemakers. They are going to make Gaza the world’s greatest real estate deal, with both of them making lots of money, eventually taking and ruling the land they have always wanted. Does anyone think Bibi and TACO do anything for anybody but themselves? Kathleen Lucas

Gaza grandstanding

Monroe, N.J.: Trump’s speech to the Knesset gave thanks to his staff who assisted in the hostages’ release. It then continued for more than an hour, with him going back into his usual spiel of “enough about you, let’s talk about the failure of Joe Biden and how strong and powerful I am.” He again went so off script that it was like he was making a case for a future position, plugging to be chairman of the “board of peace” and touting his expertise in moral leadership by urging the pardon of Netanyahu. Finally, he made his bid for the development of Gaza — perhaps with a Trump resort and business complex? Too bad he takes credit on international affairs but can’t bring peace to our own country. Katherine A. Moloney

Rambling man

Rockaway Beach: After listening to him go on for 10 minutes about how wonderful he is, and how awful Presidents Barack Obama and Biden were, I took my dog for a 45-minute walk. When we returned, he was still yapping and his suit was threadbare from patting himself on the back. My dog Annie never did relieve herself. I guess that makes Annie and him alike — they are both full of it! But at least I use my dog’s name when I speak about her. Barbara Yahle

Help at home

Hillcrest, N.Y.: Now that Trump has ended the war between Hamas and Israel, maybe he can concentrate on getting jobs for people in this country. Delores McDonald

This is the plan

Northford, Conn.: If you are scared or worried about what is happening to our country, I urge everyone to go to your computer and type in “what is the premise of the 2025 Doctrine?” After reading that, if you aren’t afraid for our freedom and democracy, then you just don’t care about anything. Alton Eliason

Mass opposition

Manhattan: Trump and his MAGA cronies are implementing their Project 2025 playbook to snuff out opposition to their extreme agenda. Prosecute enemies, fire federal workers, quash Republican dissent, intimidate the media, bully law firms and universities, scapegoat immigrants and transgender people, send an army of masked agents to spread terror, and send real troops into cities to put down nonexistent threats. This regime has awakened a sleeping giant. People are turning out in increasing numbers in Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and here in New York to stand up to the loss of democracy in the America we love. More than 5 million people turned out peacefully for No Kings protests in June. Even more are expected at more than 2,500 No Kings II events across the nation this Saturday. Americans don’t like it when our freedoms are threatened. First Amendment rights to free speech, to protest — use them before you lose them. Chris Jones

Fantasy land

Astoria: Once upon a time, there was a king who dwelled in the gold-plated kingdom he created — the Kingdom of Him. He demanded servitude from all who worked for him in Him and from all who lived there. The king had a supersized yet fragile ego that caused a condition: the thinnest of skins. He bruised easily. Everyone tiptoed around him. Anyone questioning his motives or reasoning was instantly banished! This king possessed great powers of hypnosis, for while he used every available platform to boast that he was a genius who ended many wars and lowered food prices and the cost of medication, making life better for all, things around him in Him reflected the contrary. Still, the people believed the king had the answers to their genuine concerns, seeing no discrepancy or disconnect from their day-to-day reality. And so the Kingdom of Him continued exhaustingly ever after! Karen N. Pearlman

Elections incompetence

Brooklyn: The outrageous mistake, or should I say multiple mistakes, by the NYC Board of Elections as outlined in your recent editorial (“Board’s ballot bungle,” Oct. 12), including listing a mayoral candidate as being on a party line (Working Families Party) when that person was ineligible, is absolutely incomprehensible and unforgivable. It throws the whole election into question. This should be the end of the Board of Elections. It must be dissolved and something new must be put in place, as these incompetent, political hacks can’t continue to destroy our democracy. Robert Mascali