WE THE PEOPLE of the City of Arroyo Grande declare our intent to restore our community to the historic principles of self-governance inherent in the doctrine of home-rule. Sincerely committed to the belief that local government has the closest affinity to the people governed, and firm in the conviction that the economic and fiscal independence of our local government will promote the health, safety and welfare of all the citizens of this City and better preserve its small town character and agricultural heritage, we do hereby exercise the express right granted by the Constitution of the State of California to enact and adopt this Charter for the City of Arroyo Grande.