When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town.
I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.
My family and I could have made an impact on our town.
Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter

There are two lessons here:

1. Start local. This will have a greater impact on your life anyway. The desire to have a large, world-affecting impact is more likely motivated by a desire for attention and recognition than it is by a desire to help other people.
2. You cannot force other people to change, and in fact you have no moral ground on which to expect that other people will or should behave the way that you personally think they ought to.

I wouldn't recommend running unless you're really invested in municipal issues. Most people cannot be arsed about road maintenance schedules and budgeting.

That's antiquated.

You think they'll let you vote next time?