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CAMPBELL: Golden Leaf Foundation has never lived up to its promise 

When the Golden Leaf Foundation was formed to receive 50 percent of North Carolina's portion of tobacco settlement funds, there were great hopes this organization would make a significant impact on a state affected by the decline of the golden leaf. The foundation has never lived up to its promise and a recent audit by State Auditor Beth Wood indicates more than a few serious issues.

Golden Leaf's problems were obvious from the beginning. . . .

Residents are justified to ask what we have received for the $800 million this organization has received to date. A strong case can be made that the benefits don't justify the expenditures, that inadequate management controls and undue political influence might indicate we go back to the drawing board and come up with a new approach that does not have so many inherent problems. At a minimum we need more accountability, better controls, less political influence and a new vision. We don't often get the chance to receive $2.5 billion. It is imperative that we get maximum benefit from the remaining $1.5 billion projected to be received in this fund between now and 2025.

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