Both cities, of course, built their tremendous industrial presence off of the explosive early growth in the region's capital, Industry Haven. But though Industry Haven is named so, the bulk of the industrial engines of Midlandia are these days centered in her two neighbors. Unlike Seniom Sed, however, which is not an economic powerhouse, Eldorado Hills quickly gained a reputation as the place for the movers and shakers to live in unabashed luxury. Boasting a luxury cruise line, a Major League Baseball stadium, numerous expensive condominiums, and amenities aplenty, EH is clearly near the top of the food chain. Topping that cake is Swankville, the recently developed ultrasuburb, home to the castle Sim Ben.
For most of this year, Mayor Casey J. Sprinkledonut has kicked back and enjoyed the fruits of his great success, untouchable due to his Best in the Region Mayor Rating Polls, receiving a 100% score. But when you scratch the surface, EH has warning signs on the horizon that may put that rating in jeopardy.
The Midlandia Gazette received a copy of the latest air quality report for Eldorado Hills, and the results were not good. Despite a carefully maintained Tree Buffer Zone in the north of the city along the Industrial District, air quality ratings were among the poorest in the region. And the water quality ratings were on the same par, a troubling development, especially showing that the pollution was starting to reach the water pump houses near the Des Moines Basin.
When asked about these latest surveys, Sprinkledonut was defensive, but acknowledged that the city does have an issue that needs addressing.
"Eldorado Hills is a city that owes its success to its industrial might. Unlike our neighbor to the east [Industry Haven], we have not shirked our relationship with industry, and we are regularly rewarded for it. Growth and industry go hand in hand, and nobody appreciates that more than our citizens," Sprinkledonut said.
"Having said that, we do take the wellbeing of our citizens very seriously, as anyone can see from our commitment to quality health and education. Balance is one of our key words, and our industrial partners do understand that they live in tandem with Sims who appreciate quality of life," Sprinkledonut said.
But despite the mayor's verbal expression of confidence in the city's industry, steps the city government have recently taken indicate that the days of industry's free ride in EH may be about to turn. This month, the city council agreed to raise taxes in a handful of categories to address the budget shortfall created when the city developed Swankville in November. The biggest tax increase was right in line with one that mayors have been taking across the region, taking Dirty Industry tax levels to the wall--20%, the highest tax rate possible.
And while city leaders insist this was a temporary measure to address the shortfall, indications are that, at least for Dirty Industry, the days of carefree development may be behind them.
"Nobody, especially nobody with Simoleons, wants to share the stage with air polluters," said an EH business owner who didn't want to share her name. "My friends benefit from the revenue generated by industry, that's a fact. But they don't want to breathe that air. Just like what happened in Industry Haven, they're going to push industry out. But the question is, where will they go?"
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