In the heart of Alexandria's city hall, a palpable tension filled the air as community members gathered for a public hearing on February 22, 2025. The meeting, a platform for residents to voice their concerns and opinions, quickly turned into a discussion about the importance of community engagement in decision-making processes.

One speaker, a former school board member, raised a critical point regarding the lack of stakeholder involvement in recent decisions. "A lot of times, people who don't like how the decision came out try to say that there wasn't enough engagement," they noted, emphasizing that the absence of feedback from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) was acknowledged by school staff during a previous meeting. This statement underscored a growing frustration among residents who feel their voices are often overlooked in the decision-making process. The speaker insisted that the issue at hand was not about the decisions themselves but rather about the process that led to them.

As the meeting progressed, another speaker, Samara Najah, shifted the focus to a pressing global issue. She urged the council to divest from companies that contribute to environmental destruction, specifically referencing the plight of a young tomato farmer named Ahmed in the South of Khazee. Her passionate plea highlighted the interconnectedness of local actions and global consequences, reminding attendees that decisions made at the city level can have far-reaching impacts.

The discussions at the public hearing reflected a community grappling with the balance between local governance and broader ethical responsibilities. As residents voiced their concerns, it became clear that the call for more inclusive engagement and accountability in decision-making processes resonated deeply within the community. The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency, leaving attendees pondering how their voices could shape the future of Alexandria.