Which is it? Try to work through official public channels, and you’re just telling people they’re doing it wrong. Take action yourself and you’re usurping power that rightly belongs to the community. Do nothing and you’re a miserly transient failing to care about or invest in your community. Stay away and you’re an uppity, entitled elite who thinks you’re too good for the place.

The locals are going to resent you no matter what, so maybe just do what you want.