Some of the best politicians and public servants are found on the local level. When they win the voters’ confidence, their goal simply is to do the job they were elected to do, not be consumed by partisanship that limits accomplishments and creates animosities.

Politicians on the state and national levels should try to imitate their good example but, unfortunately, too few on those higher governmental levels focus on serving others for long. They become consumed by their perceived power and become hostages to the whims of their party and legislative leaders, shelving promises made on the campaign trail.

That said, politicians on all levels — and regardless of party affiliation — would do well to imitate what former Butler County commissioner Jim Green was all about.

As those who reflected on Green’s longtime public service following his death Monday were quick to point out, Green put his constituents’ — and Butler County’s — best interests first, not self-interest or any desire to grab the spotlight.

Green was content to get the job done in concert with those with whom he served. He was a team player who blended his ideas with those of others, helping in most cases to produce the best possible outcome.

But he also had the courage not to succumb to shortsighted public opinion like that that opposed creation of Butler County Community College. He was willing to risk his political future on his firm belief that the college would produce untold dividends not only for the county, but for the students — most from Butler County but many from beyond — who would study there.

Green is a big reason why the statement that BC3 is a great place to begin one’s higher education rings so true.

There’s no question he was right in his pursuit of the college, as well as in helping to lead the effort on behalf of the Butler County Communications Center, the first 911 center in Pennsylvania.

Green’s long resume of exemplary public service was listed in articles in Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s editions of the Butler Eagle, as well as in his obituary, which appeared in Wednesday’s edition. Most people who have lived in Butler County for very long became familiar with his name at some point in watching governmental happenings.

And, Green’s name also was familiar on the state government landscape, where he served in both the state House of Representatives and several appointed offices, including deputy secretary of state.

During all aspects of his public service that became rooted with his election as a county commissioner in 1959, Green came away with a strong record of accomplishment, and he was making a positive impact as a Slippery Rock borough councilman in his later years.

In May, he was successful in his quest for nomination for another council term.

“It’s the end of an era . . . when kinder, gentler politics actually worked,” said Slippery Rock District Judge Tim Shaffer, reflecting on Green’s public service.

“When it came to Butler County, there was no politics whatsoever,” Shaffer said. “He was just a classy guy who had Butler County on his mind.”

The governments in Harrisburg and Washington would be more effective and more worthy of respect if they were populated with positive commitment like that exemplified by Green for more than half a century.

Green’s goals were simple. Green’s goals were pure.

But, most importantly, Green’s goals and guidance were beneficial to so many.

His loss is a great loss to this county and to good government in general.