Sense of family drives long-serving councillor

June 11, 2013 · 0 Comments

Getting to know Councillor Linda Pabst

By Mark Pavilons

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Dr. Seuss

That sentiment summarizes the tireless efforts of King’s most senior politician – Councillor Linda Pabst.
The dedicated mother and grandmother has undoubtedly read that very message to her offspring, not realizing just how much it related to her own commitment to her community.
There’s much more to the typically reserved Pabst than meets the eye. The matriarch of King council, Pabst has served this township for 18 years. She’s literally seen it all – working through dysfunctional and tense council dynamics to progressive, innovative teams. All the while, Pabst has likely been the rock, the proverbial diplomat.
She didn’t set out to become a career politician. She recalls riding her horse near Georgetown and having a close call with a school bus. She’s always been safety conscious, so her advocacy began from this one incident.
When she moved to King, she became an active EMT volunteer with the Nobleton ambulance service, driving the vehicle and helping her fellow citizens. She really enjoyed the adrenaline rush.
She was approached to run for council and broke into politics by acclamation when the Ward 3 seat opened up and Margaret Black ran for mayor.
From her first term she worked closely with constituents and has always been accessible. She finds her council work “very rewarding,” noting there have been many “memorable” moments, but not all of them positive.
She recalls the first public meetings on the Nobleton sewers and the hookup fee to the services back then were estimated at $8,500. Public opposition nixed the plan. They say hindsight is 20/20.
Growth in King has been inevitable for years, and it’s much better to have local control over it, than having it forced upon us, she observed. Currently, it seems to be taking place all at once.
The province and region have to recognize King, which she refers to as the “jewel of the GTA,” the “Central Park” of the suburbs.
She’s had a “great run” and done very well for King Township.
The current council is cordial and productive, and all members speak their minds.
Pabst is fueled by her family – her daughter, competitive equestrian Christi McQuaker, and son Jeff, a veteran motorsport driver. Her grandchildren fill her days with joy and even when she talks about them, her eyes light up and her smile broadens.
Pabst considers herself blessed and spoiled. She enjoyed an “awesome childhood,” even though she was raised by adoptive parents.
Her determination and sense of family led her on the ultimate quest – to find her biological family. She began her search in the late 1980s and after two years, her life’s puzzle was finally complete.
She remembers searching for records in the library, finding clues in the Prairies even doing an interview on CBC’s The Journal hosted by Barbara Frum.
She obtained the names and phone numbers of relatives in British Columbia, made contact and flew out to as fast as she could. She even recalls the song that was playing on the headsets in the airplane as they flew out west – “Green, Green Grass of Home.”
Pabst reconnected with her birth parents and three younger sisters, Pat, Debbie and Roberta. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one that has “enriched my life.”
“They are my family. I’m very, very fortunate,” she said.
Her priorities are her family and friends.
But there’s a void in Linda’s life, a love and friendship that spanned 43 years. She lost her husband Burt in 2010 and she talks of him fondly.
Burt was instrumental in founding Diomatic Metal Products, Multimatic and Speedex, which was sold to Magna Electronics Ltd., where he became vice-chairman of the board of Magna International until his retirement in the mid-1980s. An avid equestrian, Burt was a competitive show jumper in the ‘60s and was also involved in the Caledon/Eglinton and Toronto North York Hunt, hosting numerous events from his farms in Caledon and King. He was a long standing patron of the Royal Horse Show. During his retirement, Burt was an avid car collector, fisherman, long-time member of the Nobleton Lions Club and dedicated family man.
“I miss him so much,” she said with a tear.
She shared Burt’s love of antique and exotic automobiles, and she was quite the grease monkey herself in her youth. She owns a 1999 Ferrari and is a member of the Ferrari Club of America. Her “Little Red” is a lasting connection with Burt.
Linda loves horses and riding, a passion shared by her daughter, an accomplished equestrian. Linda has also been an active supporter of the Children’s Wish Foundation and its ties to the Canadian Show Jumping Championship, held at the Caledon Equestrian Park.
Linda can cast with the best anglers, and doesn’t have to tell any “fish stories.” The proof is hanging on her wall – a 42-inch muskie. She still recalls the day he was caught. She had thought she snagged a log, but this lake legend had a lot of fight in him. Both Linda and Jeff had to firmly plant both feet on him to secure him in the boat.
She still offers her grandchildren a few pointers.
Pabst was instrumental in bringing the Road Watch program to King and York. Her interest in community safety stemmed from her EMT days.
She loves King’s rural characteristics and cultural roots. The close-knit community is a great place to raise kids and neighbours are always willing to help and pitch in.
“The King community is very much like an extended family,” she attests.
Linda would like to be thought of as someone who cares deeply about the community and her family. She has tried to make life better for others around her and she maintains the importance of respect for others.
Her grandchildren bring smiles to her face and she’s pleased to see the cherished family values making their way down the family tree.
Mikey, her cat who thinks he’s a dog, is her constant companion.
Linda is a consummate host and her well appointed home is filled with some interesting antiques, items that reflect Burt’s fondness for history.
Linda Pabst is blessed. And so are those who know her well.