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Saturday Soapbox Some opinions require lots of words and elaboration. Some don't. This is Saturday Soapbox, briefly stated commentary from the Daily Herald's editors.

Bless our readers:

Milton Township Supervisor Chris Heidorn was "praying for a miracle" when the township food pantry was down to its last $681 - possibly not enough to buy food for the 500 or so people who rely on the pantry. After a Sept. 26 article appeared, $11,000 poured in during a matter of days. A miracle? Maybe just suburbanites opening their hearts, which often is the case.

Decisive action:

Gavin District 37 officials acted quickly and decisively to fire two teachers who failed to report accusations of inappropriate conduct involving teacher Michael Vucic in a student molestation case. In addition, one teacher has resigned and another has been placed on administrative leave pending further action. State law requires teachers and certain other professionals to report suspicions of child abuse.

What to do?:

DuPage County Forest Preserve commissioners were reminded this week that they have $24 million on hand to transform two garbage dumps, closed almost two decades ago, into recreation havens. So, do they stick with plans for toboggan runs, cross-country ski trails, and such at landfills near Naperville and Bloomingdale, respectively?

More options:

Forest Preserve President D. "Dewey" Pierotti says interests have changed and suggests the district ask residents again what types of activities might be on their short list today. Good idea, and we're wondering if one answer might be a tax rebate. Just a reflection of how times have changed.

Nothing fond about this absence:

Half the 24-member Kane County Board elected at the end of 2012 missed at least 22 percent of scheduled meetings. Jesse Vazquez of Montgomery attended only 13 of 48 meetings. He claimed, "I'm not sure that it's even accurate." Chairman Chris Lauzen said the numbers are not an attack but a statement of fact. What's also a fact is Vazquez continues to get paid even when he's not engaged.

Did you see that coming?

While the Cubs continue their rebuilding process, it appears another former Cubs manager has made a World Series appearance before his former team could get there. Dale Sveum, fired at the end of the 2013 season after two years at the helm of the Cubs, is now the hitting coach of the Kansas City Royals. Be honest, now, did you see that coming?

The Gray Ghost lives on:

While some "alternative" uniform decisions in college football deserve to be reported to the Fashion Police, others make great sense. Kudos to the Fighting Illini for their "Gray Ghost" uniforms honoring Wheaton legend Harold "Red" Grange, the greatest player of all time. Of course, the best tribute of all would be to play as well as he did 90 years ago.

In loving memory:

Such a special place Arlington Heights' Pete Jackson has nurtured in honor of his daughter Emily, lost at 18 in 2006. Hours and hours spent turning a quarter-acre of buckthorn and weeds into a heavenly patch of earth covered with native prairie plants behind Rolling Meadows High School. With help from Emily. "She's the inspiration, and I do the legwork," he said at a dedication ceremony. Nice work, Dad.

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