For many years, I have had the honor and privilege of playing cello in the Heritage Philharmonic, an Eastern Jackson County orchestra celebrating its 65th year. The orchestra brings excellent music to our community, and provides opportunities for our best community musicians to share their talent and love of music.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the Philharmonic welcomes Conductor Laureate Jack Ergo back to the podium at the Blue Springs High School Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture, Hindemith’s “Five Pieces for String Orchestra” and Dvorak’s well-known Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” one of the most popular in the modern repertoire.

Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students. It will be an excellent evening of musical entertainment!

It is a short six weeks until the citizens of Blue Springs will again choose a person to represent them on the City Council. While it seems we are always in the midst of some political season, this one has come upon us quietly. Several friends have remarked how this election has not generated the controversy of some in the recent past.

This will be the first election in five years in which I will not be serving as a councilperson or seeking office in Blue Springs. I miss the personal contact of the thousands of homes I visited and the thoughts and opinions of so many of you during my campaigns and my time in office.

The candidate’s efforts will include a variety of methods to convey their message to the voters. Some will knock on doors; some will use direct mail or the telephone. The Internet is another method of campaigning, including Web sites and social networking sites such as Facebook. It is important that we, the voters, make wise selections on who will help govern our city.

Candidates focus on those that vote regularly. While the election board does not indicate whom you voted for, it does keep records of how often you vote. This information is readily available through the election board. I urge each of you to participate in the process of choosing your representatives, whether it is a local, state or national election. Take an active role in your community, and make an informed decision on Election Day.

There a several opportunities in March to meet the candidates, learn about their ideas and visions for Blue Springs, and to ask questions. The Blue Springs Business Association will host a candidates forum at 8 a.m. March 11 at Clancy’s Bar & Grill. The Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce candidates forum luncheon is March 18 at Adams Pointe Conference Center. Reservations are required and can be made through the chamber office. Watch The Examiner for other opportunities to meet the candidates prior to voting on April 6.