PREAMBLE

We, the people of the Town of Oakland, in order to secure for ourselves the benefits and responsibilities of home rule do hereby adopt this revised Charter. This Government was created to protect the governed, not the governing. We recognize that the orderly, efficient and fair operation of the Government requires the intelligent and informed participation of individual citizens. Towards this end, all persons are entitled to receive fair, equitable and prompt treatment, full and accurate information, and convenient access to public records and government officials.