When the first issue of the Western Queens Gazette hit the streets of Astoria, Long Island City and Jackson Heights in January 1982, Hugh Carey was almost at the end of his two-term reign as governor of New York State and Mario Cuomo was in the midst of what would be the successful election campaign that made him Carey's successor in the state house in Albany.

Cuomo, who had been Lieutenant Governor under Carey and used that office as a springboard to the governorship, would go on to serve three terms before being defeated by George Pataki in his attempt to be re-elected to a fourth term.

Pataki also served three terms, and his departure at the end of last year coincided with the conclusion of the Gazette's first quarter century of existence, which is celebrated by this 25th anniversary issue.

So the Gazette is taking a look back at the governors in its life to see how they fared while the paper was growing up and making its presence felt in the world of journalism.

We will also take a look at the latest governor that we cover, Eliot Spitzer, who succeeded Pataki on January 1 and thus is the current state chief executive.