In 2006, Gerald Watkins pursued his longtime dream of running for – and winning – a public office. His impressive campaigning resulted in nearly 4,000 votes, enough to garner him a seat on Paducah’s City Commission, which meets at 5:30 p.m., each Tuesday night at City Hall. He spends countless additional hours pouring over plans and considering proposals to make Paducah an even better place to live.
Gerald Watkins, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! Are you originally from Paducah?
Yes, I’ve been here all my life except for doing some construction work for nearly a year in Ft. Lauderdale when I was 18. At 23, I decided to go to WKCTC full time. I went straight on to Murray for my business and political science degrees, and then got my MBA from Murray State University.
How did you become a third degree black belt in karate and a second degree black belt in judo?
When I was 17, my brother, sister and a cousin and I were at Burger Chef on Kentucky Avenue, and we got jumped. There was a big fight inside the restaurant. I realized that you always need to be prepared.
A year later, the Japan International Karate Center opened, so my brother signed up and, later, I signed up. We both earned our black belts, and I started helping and teaching. And then I eventually opened and ran Watkins Karate for 19 years. It was the largest karate school in Kentucky at one time.
Wow. A black belt politician. I bet that comes in handy every now and again!
Hah! No, no, my karate skills are very separate from my politician skills! But it is nice to know you can use them if you have to!
What prompted you to pursue politics?
I’ve loved politics since I was 20, and I’m blessed to teach my first love. But always deep in my heart, I knew I wanted to serve. I was looking for an opportunity. I’d run for state representative in 1992. It was a close race, but I was not elected. It was no fun losing. But I kept my eye out for another opportunity.
And you decided 2006 was your year?
A lot of people were encouraging me to run for City Commission. And in the past few years, things seemed to change in City Hall – I felt it needed to go in a different direction. So I jumped in, worked really hard and thank goodness was successful.
You certainly were! Congratulations! Are you loving it?Yes, I am. It’s very gratifying to help make the Paducah area a better place to live, with a better quality of life, better opportunities, better jobs. It keeps me busier than I thought. I talk with a lot of people. But I like having a positive impact on things and making life better for people around here.
I’m also active in the Downtown Lions Club, and I’ve done a lot of volunteer work for the American Cancer Society, Christmas in April and the Salvation Army over the years.
OK, so you win and then bam, all the sudden you’re involved in a bunch of brouhaha.
Well, there are always issues that stir a lot of interest and controversy. It comes with the territory.
Which has been your most controversial?
There’s been several. Probably the firefighter contract negotiation, because it had been the longest-running and caused the most dissention. But we were able to work out a fair and just contract a few weeks ago. So I’m glad that’s over!
So one day, there’s a scathing letter to the Paducah Sun about you, and then a few days later the same writer writes a huge fan letter about you. How’d you pull that off?
Hah! My brother is a preacher, and when he saw the first letter, he said, “Gerald, I’m glad I’m not you right now. You need to pick up the phone and make an ally out of an enemy.” So I did.
Well, it sure worked. The second letter was like a big ol’ Gerald Watkins love fest.
Well, I don’t know about that. It’s no fun getting criticized. I can be a little thin skinned and sensitive, but I’m getting tougher as time goes on. I’m glad I was able to sway that particular person.
OK, so as a black belt, do you ever walk down dark alleys on purpose? You know, in case you need to practice?
No, no. I never go looking for trouble. Bullets are not going to bounce off my chest. But I feel like I can take care of myself. Sports are my hobby. I lift weights at Energy Fitness, I do martial arts and I have taken boxing lessons and plan to start again.
I love boxing! Who’s your favorite boxer?
Sugar Ray Leonard. He was so fast, smooth, and he also had a lot of power.
How many classes do you teach at WKCTC?
I have five classes each semester. I teach American and State Government as well as World Politics.
And you’re often voted Teacher of the Year, aren’t you?
I’ve received that award four times out of past 10 years. It is by student vote, and WKCTC has more than 7,000 students. That’s the highest award I can get in my profession, and it means a lot coming from the students.
Have any gone on to pursue politics?
Yes, Steven Rudy is one of my former students, and now he’s a state representative. David Mast, until recently, was Congressman Ed Whitfield’s local representative. Will Coursey is running for JR Gray’s seat. And Paula Weglarz is a member of the state’s finance cabinet.
And that’s my goal. In the United States, we truly get to govern ourselves. Anyone can go into public service. I teach my students how to do that and motivate them to vote regularly. It’s gratifying to see them do that.
OK, what about your love life?Well, that’s a high priority, too. I am single and looking. My 15-year-old daughter, Lakyn, is a cheerleader at Reidland. She’s a sweetheart. She’s always giving me advice. She even picked out my new car. She tries to tell me who to ask out and who not to ask out! Hah!
What did you get?
A black 2008 Ford Mustang GT. Lakyn had it souped up. It has a 300-cubic-inch motor, 18-inch chrome wheels, 500-watt stereo, a rear spoiler and a hood scoop… I’ve always liked muscle cars.
What about your little red corvette?
It’s for sale! If anyone is interested, they should just email me.
What kind of gal are you looking for?
I’m interested in someone 25-45 who likes to exercise. Beyond that, I’m not picky.
Wow, commissioner, way to keep your options open! Tell us about your idea of the perfect first date.
We wouldn’t go to anything political. To me, a nice romantic date is dinner, a good movie or concert and later on, I’d like to go to sporting events
What if the mayor called your cell phone in the middle of dinner.
I wouldn’t answer. He knows I consider him important, but he’d understand!
Hah! Well commissioner, it sounds like you have a great life.
I really do. Especially when I look back. I was one of nine kids. My father was a janitor. We grew up dirt poor – we had holes in the floor, no air conditioning, no running hot water for some years early on. Our next-door neighbor murdered five people. He’s in jail now.
So yes, I’ve come a long way. I have a beautiful daughter, two great jobs – one at the college and one serving our city – a beautiful home, a new car. I just need a hot woman.
I’m sure there are plenty of women, ages 25-45, who are heading to the treadmill right now! Politic on, Commissioner Watkins!
