Michigan Mayor Gets to Keep His Age a Secret

In an unexpected win for the notion of it's-none-of-your-business, the mayor of Michigan's third-largest city doesn't have to reveal his age to run for re-election. The state appeals court entered the strange dispute yesterday by overturning a judge's ruling that had required Jim Fouts to disclose his birthdate as he seeks re-election as Warren mayor in August.

The appeals court says it's not required under Michigan law. Fouts says the decision means age cannot be used as a "weapon of mass destruction." He says his age is irrelevant. Some records show he's 66. Three rivals have been trying to keep Fouts off the ballot over his failure to include his age on his candidacy form. (More Michigan stories.)