It's common sense but spending time listening and learning before spouting opinions will probably help smooth relationships with the locals.
On a side note, I have a neighbor that decided to run for local office the first year he moved to our town. I found it interesting that someone would want to run for office before getting to know the people, not to mention that's a pretty quick time to form opinions about the town's politicians to the point of wanting to take their office. I guess it doesn't matter since he wasn't elected.