Bill Wagner Named LG Citizen of Year

LG Spirits is Business of the Year and Lee Fritsch Presented Hall of Fame Award

The La Grange Chamber of Commerce presented the Citizen of the Year award to La Grange ISD Superintendent Bill Wagner at its annual banquet on Thursday night, Feb. 10. The banquet took place at Frisch Auf! Country Club.

Wagner has served 38 of his 45 years in education at La Grange ISD. He has been assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and he is now finishing his career as superintendent.

“What many people do not know are the things he did out of the public eye to aid our youth,” said La Grange Chamber Operations Director Jamie Fabre, who presented the award.

Fabre listed a litany of examples: delivering meals to students whose parents were out of town or in the hospital, personally driving the bus routes during extreme weather before deciding to cancel or delay classes, attending sporting events, UIL events and band events to show support for the students. He even gets haircuts from cosmetology students to aid in their learning.

“There are very few people in our town who can say (he) did not somehow have an effect on them,” Fabre said.

Indeed, after accepting the award, Wagner noted that many of the students he taught during his early years in La Grange now have children who are students at La Grange ISD.

Wagner thanked the Chamber. The room gave him a rousing standing ovation.

The Chamber presented its Business Achievement Award to Larry Glass and Grace Pulkrabek, owners of LG Spirits in La Grange. Fabre said the Chamber selected LG Spirits for this year’s award due to their business growth over the past year and their dedication to customer service and excellent products. The company’s new drivethrough location inside the former Sears Store boasts Fayette County’s largest selection of spirits, craft beers, fines wines and excellent cigars.

“They are customer service driven,” Fabre said. “To many they are friends. To several they are family. They know each part of their business and know the products they sell. This is a very important part of being a successful small business.”

Also on Thursday night, the Chamber presented its Hall of Fame Award to Lee Fritsch. Fritsch has served as former president and current vice president of the Fayette County Fair Association, chairman of the Fayette County Jr. Commercial Heifer Show and Sale, chairman of the Fayette Beef Committee, vice chairman of the FayetteCounty Soil and Water Conservation District, chairman of the Fayette County Jr. Livestock Show and Sale and president of the Fayette County Agrilife Leadership Advisory Board.

As an auctioneer, Fritsch has helped raise millions of dollars locally for non-profit and youth organizations. He also serves as an announcer for sporting events and on the radio.

“He has a familiar voice, a welcoming voice, a voice that can get people’s attention,” Fabre said.“