They could have and they should have

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is not only over it is probably gone for good.
Music is a passion of mine but soft jazz is not one of my favorites.
Nevertheless, losing the Seabreeze Jazz Festival to Pier Park in Panama City Beach was a totally avoidable mishap. This four-day (Thursday night was free) event attracted jazz aficionados from around the world to Walton County. Jazz buffs are generally upscale and likely found their way to area restaurants and shops. Next year Seerings may become geographically undesirable for Jazz Fest ticket holders.
Nor do these patrons pack into motel rooms like college students on Spring Break. But they will likely be staying across Philips Inlet from now on and the bed tax revenue generated will be redirected to Bay County coffers. 
Christy Haines won't be selling as much wine and whiskey this time next year. The jazz buffs will find their way to one of the many emporiums in Bay County. Demographically jazz music enthusiasts don't like low end suds like Natural Light or Busch. They prefer upper-end spirits. And all that tax revenue and profit - POOF - is no longer in Walton County.
Sure, the jazz festival brought crowds and noise but it's one weekend. Before complaining about the hassle, we live in a location where a modest investment in land a few years ago is still worth more (way more in many cases) than anyone ever dreamed possible.  
Perhaps Pier Park is a better location for a growing event like the Seabreeze Jazz Festival but it is never good to lose a unique experience. Walton County should have planned more strategically so we would not be facing this dilemma. With all the commercial development during the Walton County land rush the powers that be should have been more proactive. Losing to Panama City Beach just stings.
What to do? Walton County ought to investigate acquiring some of the non-contiguous parcels of the state forest. Shhh! Don't let anyone at the South Walton Community Council know I said that. But let's have that discussion. If Bainbridge Georgia, the gnat capital of the world, can figure a way to have an outdoor stage facility for concerts Walton County should also.

WESLEY SNIPES
One year for Christmas my wife gave me a leather basketball and it was one of my favorite Christmas presents. It was unique in the sense that I was much closer to middle age than adolescence.
Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. 
While not blessed with much talent, when you shoot hoops four days a week you develop a few skills. One skill that was far beyond my dreams was dunking. 
During my basketball days there was a movie released titled "White Men Can't Jump" starring Wesley Snipes. While I still can't jump Mr. Snipes will soon be wearing a "jump" suit issued by federal authorities. He was found guilty of three counts of failing to file an income tax return. 
Since we just sent our returns in Mr. Snipes gets zero sympathy from me. In fact, Wesley Snipes is going to jail for being stupid. It is asinine to argue that the tax code is illegal and therefore you are not required to pay taxes. Prior to sentencing, in his carefully worded statement - he is an actor - Mr. Snipes avoided mentioning the word "tax" or "taxes". The judge took note of his lack of remorse and gave him the maximum sentence on all three counts. As the judge should have.
The Justice Department is aggressively pursuing cases against tax deniers like Mr. Snipes. Prosecuting a tax denier should be like shooting fish in a barrel. I can understand how someone moon-lighting a second or third job to feed his family may take cash and not report it. But when a multi-millionaire like Mr. Snipes argues that the tax code doesn't apply to him, let him try and jump over a prison wall.

Buz Livingston is a certified financial planner. He operates Livingston Financial Planning Inc. focusing on hourly financial planning and investment management. Listen to his radio program, Money and Music, every Wednesday at 8 a.m. on 107.1FM, 30A Radio or www.30Aradio.org. Contact him directly at (850) 267-1068 or at LivingstonFinancial.net.