No kidding: US town has a four-year-old mayor!
New York, May 12 (PTI): A four-year-old US boy, who hasn't even passed kindergarten yet, is calling the shots as the Mayor in a small town in Minnesota.
Robert Tufts was selected mayor last year of Dorset, a town in Minnesota, with a population of mere 22 people.
Residents say Tufts is a "ball of fire" and while the kid may not have the academic credentials for the job, they claim he's got the chops - and the mouth - to run the town, 'New York Daily News' reported.
"He's amazing. He's just completely amazing," said Kathy Schmidt, whose family has lived in the area for four generations.
"He's right in your face and well-spoken. You can’t imagine what a ball of fire he is," said Schmidt.
According to WCCO, the mayor can sing and dance with the best of them, he guides his citizens safely across the street, big stick in hand. He's also an expert fisherman and knows how to dole out advice about the best bait to use.
Tufts was chosen as the mayor at last year's "Taste of Dorset" festival. The small town selects its leader through a draw during the popular event.
Campaigns don't cost much in Dorset - just USD 1 will get your name in the hat. You don't even have to live there. At one point, a 5-year-old from Chicago was running the town.
Dorset became a dot on the map nearly a century ago, sprouting up around a railroad that passed through the area. The community allegedly lost its town status years ago "when they took away the zip code," Schmidt said.
Decisions about Dorset are made by the businesses that operate there - meaning the mayor doesn't have too many responsibilities, the report said.
Dorset describes itself the "Restaurant Capital of the World" because it has the most restaurants per capita.