Zbranek Caps 55 Years Of Service to the City As She Departs Council

La Grange Ward 2 Councilwoman Violet “Patsy” Zbranek stepped down from her seat on the City Council after 20 years in office and nearly 55 total years of service to the City.

“I came to La Grange when I was in the fourth grade,” Zbranek said in an interview with the Record Monday night. “And I’ve been here all those years. I love La Grange.”

Zbranek started working at City Hall in the Utility Department in 1971. She later moved to the tax collector position. That was at a time before the tax appraisal district, when city governments collected their own property taxes. Then in 1977, La Grange City Secretary Margret Mason resigned to run for City Council. The City promoted Zbranek to City Secretary, and she held that position until she retired in 2005.

“I was off for a year and then I ran for City Council in 2006,” Zbranek said in an interview with the Record. “It’s going to be hard letting it go, but I think it’s time for a change.”

Dylan Schlotterbeck ran unopposed for Zbranek’s seat. He took the oath of office at the City Council meeting Monday night, May 11.

“I’m happy with what I did,” Zbranek said. “I’ve enjoyed it. And I’ve learned a lot. I was very fortunate that the people I worked for were good.”

Zbranek recalled working under former City Manager JD Legler and Mayor Sonny Stolz.

“When I first started, Sonny Stolz was Mayor, and I used to have to take dictation from him, and I was scared to death,” Zbranek recalled. “I was young. I’m not scared anymore.”

Zbranek said the biggest change she’s noticed about La Grange are all the new faces in town.

“It’s all the new people, that’s the biggest thing,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, change is good.”

At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Jan Dockery thanked Zbranek for her long service to the City and bid her farewell.

“I enjoy this city and I’m still here,” Zbranek told the audience. “I want what’s best for the City of La Grange. That’s all I ever want.”

Zbranek went around the Council table to shake hands and hug her fellow council members and the mayor. She stopped at Ward 2 Councilman Ken Taylor’s seat and reminded him, “You’re my councilperson now.”

She then headed for the door but stopped and turned around for one last remark.

“This is the last time, but I will be back if I have something to say,” she told the room. “Y’all do know I talk, so thank y’all.”

With that, more than a half-century of institutional knowledge departed City Hall.