Paducah City Commissioner Robert A. Coleman admitted something politicians rarely admit. He was speechless.  Receiving the Alben Barkley Distinguished Citizen Award at the McCracken County Democratic Dinner brought on his attack of wordlessness. Presenter County Judge Van Newberry read a letter from Mayor Bill Paxton who could not attend the event on May 15th. The Mayor's letter cited Coleman's thirty one years "relentless" service as a city commissioner and mayor pro tem for Paducah. Coleman also had a city park "Robert A. Coleman Park" named after him two days before.  Coleman came within a few votes of beating Paxton in the last mayoral race.

Coleman told the crowd he was "totally, totally surprised". He said the best thing for him to say was "thank you very much from the bottom of my heart."