Cop killers on the loose, railroad construction wars, illegal mining, lynching and floods--these are the kinds of problems the mayor of a small Oregon town could really sink his teeth into--in the past anyway. For the new mayor of Plankton, modern governance seems less exciting than it was in the rough and tumble pioneer and lumbering eras and more about the mundane....more "Parks and Recreation" than "How the West was Won." His appointment calendar is full of water systems, animal control and public safety. Accomplishing these modern tasks requires a modern skill set for fostering understanding, crafting consensus, and taking advantage of every opportunity, no matter how small or unorthodox. Plankton is a town teetering on the fraying edge of relevance after a long decline from its timber heyday. It's up to the neophyte mayor, a curmudgeonly tavern owner, an antiques dealer, a veterinarian, a troubled teacher, and a damaged young man twice-garroted by life to keep the town from slipping into the dustbin of history. "The Tower" is a short novel about how to go about repairing deep political rifts and keep the citizens safe after the unexpected death of the police chief, without stepping on too many toes. Both supported and opposed by citizen groups with deeply held convictions, Kyrmet the new mayor has a very fine line to walk--and the imagination and sense of humor to help him keep his balance. "Mr. Plankton," Brad La Farge sees the town as a new start in life and love. "Simple Simon" Barnett just wants to feel he is necessary and for everyone to get along. In a sweet and funny story about trying your best and hoping to do no harm, and maybe getting a shot at redemption, there's just a chance they might make it work.