We all benefit from the tremendous synergies our businesses create during Christmas in Middleburg. Every holiday season we work together on this keynote event that features our commercial sector, because that success benefits us all. Sadly, a direct result of our success is the arrival of businesses that march to the tune of a corporate drummer far away from our beautiful hometown.

Consider, for example, the new branch of Provident Bank. According to their local spokesman, they are 'not allowed' to put up posters for local events or initiatives.

It's obvious that when Provident acquired Southern Financial, they let community service "go." Southern Financial was a fine, upstanding citizen and its officers and staff were committed to the strength and success of the commercial sector here. They welcomed posters and played a valuable role in community initiatives. That seemed an excellent business strategy for a local bank. If the businesses did well, so would the banks that served them.

When Santa asks us what we want for Christmas, it will be civilized, community-minded business leaders who care about the success of the town as a whole. What we don't want are "local" executives who aren't allowed to think for themselves and won't take a stand to promote town interests when we are all working to ensure the success of all.