The recent wave of farm stand thefts is a real tragedy to our intimate Island community. It hurts the farmers who work so hard to provide us with good food and who deserve all the profits they can make, but on a deeper level, this terrible and selfish act also robs you and me, the general public. It violates something that is worth more than money: trust. Stealing from the honor system is a theft unlike others because stolen along with the food and money is the innocence and graciousness that can only be found in small communities like ours. These thefts now deprive all of us of that which was built upon the back of trust — the honor system. The honor system is such a special concept and has allowed many of us privileges that defy common sense business practices. On this small Island there are ways for people in need to get aid. Our community tries to rally for those less fortunate. Attacks on small institutions like farm stands is a crime that mystifies me. It’s like bullying, praying upon the innocence and good will of a special and unprotected minority. It’s opportunistic, selfish, and dreadfully wrong and it affects us all.

Jim Feiner
Chilmark