We need a philosophy of controlled growth for the city. We need to fill the vacant commercial space before considering new retail development. I also believe in sticking with the development plan from which Peachtree City has evolved.

Our city needs a council that will pass an ordinance that prevents any ground-up building until we reach an occupancy rate of 95 percent of commercial space. Also, any new development needs to be 80 percent leased before ground is broken; much of the new commercial construction is built before anyone commits to occupying it.

As a Realtor, lifestyle is part of what I promote to the public. I am concerned that several recent decisions of the Peachtree City Council will not enhance property values within the city nor the quality of life we currently enjoy.

I got into this race when the council voted 3-2 to add a traffic light on Ga. Highway 54 West near Line Creek for the benefit of building even MORE new stores along that route.

The current majority on the PTC Council believe that the sales tax dollars brought in by new retail is reason enough to keep on building big boxes. But according to research by real estate brokerage and research group Marcus & Millichap, much new commercial development is being built with interest-only loans. It is possible that when these loans adjust many more commercial properties in metro Atlanta will be foreclosed upon. How many more vacancies will this mean for us?

I strongly oppose the proposed Callula Hills development of high-end homes near what will be Lake McIntosh and Falcon Field airport. The development, which would also include an events center, would sit on property now zoned for industry, in the middle of an industrial park.

Peachtree City needs to have council members who will not cater to special interest groups at the expense of the city.

Falcon Field could be THE catalyst of economic recovery in our area, and we should be supporting the airport authority, not throwing obstacles in its way. Supporting the airport authority and its quest to bring business to our area should be a priority. To rezone land at the end of the runway for homes is ridiculous and lacks common sense.

Peachtree City is an incredible place to live. As a city, we need to preserve the things that make it great: low crime, good schools and a feeling of community that we all share.

I also favor putting all council meetings online, so more voters can be informed.

In this age of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, how can it be that the Peachtree City Council meetings are not on the Internet?

I grew up about an hour southeast of Philadelphia in Vineland, New Jersey. I attended The American University’s School of International Service in Washington, D.C., and graduated there with a B.S. degree in International Relations and a minor in communications.

After graduation, I began a television career at WMGM-TV in Atlantic City, N.J. In 1986, I relocated to Atlanta to work for CNN where I was a news producer until 1994 when I left to stay home with my family.

I earned my Georgia real estate license in 1997 and have been helping families relocate to Peachtree City ever since. Currently, I am an active agent with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners in Peachtree City.

My husband Michael, a director at CNN, and I married in 1987. Our eldest son, John, is a senior at Georgia Southern University. Our younger son, Christian, is now a senior at Our Lady of Mercy High School. We have lived in Peachtree City since 1991.

To contact me please email votevanessa@yahoo.com.

Elect Vanessa Fleisch to City Council Post 4, the controlled growth candidate.

Vanessa Fleisch

Peachtree City, Ga.