Karlheinz Poredda is one of the world's longest-serving - and oldest - mayors. The 91 year old has governed the municipality of Hipstedt in Lower Saxony for 50 years. The town, which now boasts 1269 residents, elected him to the post back in 1961. Unlike many other communities, Hipstedt is free of debt, but its citizens have to do without a number of modern conveniences - such as cell phone coverage.
