Perhaps allow privileges to be shared between a maximum of two to three players at one time. This would, in theory, see towns live much longer, as upkeep of the town could be shared or passed on to another if one player is inactive.

This may cut into profits for you in the short term, but the atmosphere of the game (the state of the towns throughout the world) would hopefully improve immediately and dramatically, thus attracting more players and keeping them interested longer, and hopefully increasing player purchases of platinum items.

The game really needs this since the point of the game is town creation/management, and to have a town become another wasteland because of an absent mayor would be quite disheartening.

Surely this is a somewhat of a big change, so i don't look for it to be implemented immediately, as the game is still progressing and there are other things to be done, but it is something that should be considered as the game moves forward.

On a side note, amazing work on the game so far! I started playing very recently and I must say, I'm hooked! :)