[toddsiegel]

> I don't believe I have much control over how my city is organized.

I am not sure where you live, but I find the opposite is true. Where I live, in Denver, CO, USA, I have found that my city council members and state reps are often responding to emails directly since they have little or no staff.

I have found them to be super receptive and easy to talk to. If you have concerns, and you are polite and thoughtful, your ideas will carry weight with them.