Do local elections in the US do any good?

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I know what states and national governors say they want to do for the people, but what do US local officials say or think they can do for their people? It can be purely symbolic too. Anything goes.

I am interested in running for a local office someday.

Its pretty much the same thing, on a smaller scale. Mayor, city council members, etc are all making the same sorts of promises, usually with just about as much hope or intent of keeping them as state and national elections, just focusing more on local issues. One thing interesting at least where I live is that city government offices are not partisan - meaning the candidates don't have "democrat" or "republican" on the ballot next to their names, the parties do not nominate candidates or hold primary elections for these offices, and they don't really speak of parties so much when they campaign, but generally its pretty obvious who is in one party and who is in the other based on their positions. Anyhow certainly they can do good - where I live we've had some very effective mayors, and some not so effective ones, and some city council members who are truly obstructionist.

At least on a local level, money plays less of a factor. You can get about your town/city or county and get people's support without needing a lot of money behind you.