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Warren Mayor Jim Fouts' age at issue again after driver's license expiresAug 23, 2011 (Detroit Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Warren Mayor Jim Fouts' age is again an issue, thanks to his expired driver's license. Fouts' license expired on Aug. 8, his birthday, and in Michigan, an expired driver's license automatically triggers a check with the federal Social Security Administration to make sure the driver's license and social security records match. In Fouts' case, they didn't. His birthday is listed differently in the state and social security records. "Every person who has a driver's license or state-issued ID has their full name, date of birth and social security number checked against the social security administration database," said Fred Woodhams, spokesman for the Michigan Department of State. "It does happen that sometimes information doesn't match." For example, Woodhams said, the information wouldn't match if a woman married, changed her name, and didn't change one of the records. He declined to say what the social security records said about Fouts. It's up to Fouts to produce information that will verify either the state or federal record before his driver's license can be reissued, Woodhams said. Fouts was not immediately available for comment. The mayor's age became a campaign issue earlier this summer when three opponents in the primary election, including Kathy Vogt, who is Fouts' opponent in the November election, challenged him for not listing his age on his election application. The courts ruled in favor of Fouts. Fouts has refused to discuss his age, calling the issue ageism. Fouts birth year is listed as 1944 with the Secretary of State's office. He is listed as a senior in the 1960 yearbook for Hazel Park High School, his alma mater. Contact Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki: 586-826-7278 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2011 Detroit Free Press Visit Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |