Editorial: In Praise of Our “Ordinary” Neighbors

The news of the Ace Hardware attempted break-in this weekend has pumped life into the bored, bond-weary, environmentally-critiquing Orcas public, and the town is buzzing with conjecture about the Moldy Hairy Colt who may be running rogue throughout our sleepy village.

But that is why we see Scott Lancaster’s stoic integrity and refusal to pander to the romanticism that a “common thief” (in Lancaster’s words) engenders, as inspirational.

Lancaster said on Monday that he had been contacted by no less than a dozen “news” shows for interviews about the Sunday morning alarm at his store. He refused them all. He was told that Sheriff Bill Cumming had also refused to be interviewed. Far more helpful is Cumming’s frequent advice to take action to prevent burglaries; such advice kept a “successful” break-in from happening at Ace Hardware this time.

Yes, there is a “romantic” element to a “kid” who has the chutzpah to steal planes, destroy surveillance equipment and elude arrest, but, especially locally, isn’t that a little dismissive of the nerds, the wonks, the grinds, the “ordinary Joes” who labor day in and day out to make our everyday life a little better, a little easier, a little more pleasant and safe for our children and elders?

The Lancaster family bought Ace Hardware less than two years ago, and have been working to continue this local business; Orcas Homegrown Market, Vern’s Bayside, Island Market all are not just unpeopled, faceless corporations, but our neighbors — contributing businesses that keep us employed in an ongoing manner, supply us with workday needs and frequently lead the pack when islanders organize to help others less fortunate.

So it’s a little facile to say that the thief that is victimizing them isn’t hurting any person, that his/her crimes are “only against property.” It’s more than galling to find various Colton Harris-Moore “fan clubs” organized to laud his exploits. What about Kyle Ater of  Homegrown Market, Belinda Landon and Marion Rathbone of Vern’s Bayside, and Dale Linnes of Island Market – and their employees — who are left to pick up the pieces and work to provide the services we ask them for everyday?

We know, it’s just human nature to mythologize someone who’s brazen, imaginative and reckless in his/her snubs to “the establishment.” But it’s ambulance-chasing like the media frenzy this punk has inspired that gives those who promote it a “sensational” reputation. As one caring islander said wearily, “It’s just a matter of time before there’s a ‘Movie of the Week’ about him.”

We’d rather stand by the Scott Lancasters of this community, and neighbors like Kyle Ater, who said “We’re all here everyday to help other islanders.”