GRANT

Faulkner has complained about homeless camps in his area and called the trash homeless people leave behind a health and safety hazard.

Smith said he has no intention of withdrawing his request. He said no one other than Faulkner has asked him to do so.

“We are not able to get the results he wants as fast as he wants,” Smith said of Faulkner. “But certainly, I think most people recognize this is not solved overnight.”

Rebecca Hunley of the Franklinton Area Neighbors Civic Association said Faulkner has a point.

“He's done everything he can, and got no relief,” she said.

Thomas Palmer, a lawyer with the firm Thompson Hine and president of the Franklinton Board of Trade, said he read Faulkner's email.

“I'm sure the members of the Franklinton Board of Trade recognize the board of trade's hard work and successes,” he said. “Trent Smith's credibility is unimpeachable, which is the same

for the organization.”

Tanisha Robinson, the CEO of BrewDog USA, which has a brewpub in Franklinton, said she supports the board of trade's initiative, which she said will give homeless people a chance to contribute to the community.

Two months ago, Smith told The Dispatch that illegal dumping is common in Franklinton alleys. He said he went to the Columbus City Council with a request for $50,000 to fund a pilot program to pay homeless people $10 an hour to clean up camps and other areas.

In an interview, Faulkner called the city's effort to pay homeless people “admirable.” But he added that a business advocate should not be accepting city money.

“We need to have a business advocate lobby City Hall on our behalf without the appearance of impropriety,” Faulkner said.

“The homeless community has a whole list of advocates speaking on their behalf. I have one,” Faulkner said, referring to the board of trade, which he said faces an identity crisis.

“Who are we advocating for, and to whom?”