The owner of Dalton Ga. Carpet in Fairfield has changed his approach to help small businesses.

Because of health reasons — and the urging of friends and family — Al Smith climbed off the Dalton Ga. Carpet roof Sunday, Aug. 9, on Dixie Highway. He was living there initially to protest a bank rescinding its loan offer.

“There were a few reasons that got me off the roof,” said Smith. “Definitely it was my health, my family and my business and my employees.”

As soon as he climbed onto the carpet store roof at 7371 Dixie Hwy., Smith said his protest evolved into a means of marketing his opinion that banks are misusing government bailout money.

“I’m trying to help the small business people out; trying to make sure everything is regulated on taxpayers dollars so it can get in the right hands, instead of the banks using the bailout money for what they want,” he said.

Smith thinks his point has been proven. He said there were a number of people that encouraged him while he was on the roof, and that support “was so powerful.”

“I’m not giving up,” he said. “I just need to get my business back in order, and it’s hard to do it from the roof. Maybe I can do a better job with this campaign on the ground, also.”

Sunday’s high temperature reached 91 degrees. It was 88 degrees on Saturday, Aug. 8.

“If I had stayed any longer, I’d probably had a stroke,” Smith said, who went to the hospital to be checked out Sunday. “I was dehydrated, my blood pressure was up, my potassium was down. I was deteriorating my health.”

Smith said he and his attorney will challenge the loan being rescinded by the bank, which he said now he cannot legally mention. Last week, Smith had told the Fairfield Echo it was Fifth Third Bank.

In response to Smith’s protest, Fifth Third issued a prepared statement:

“Fifth Third Bank cannot negotiate loans through the media. Mr. Smith is more than welcome to come into the Bank to discuss the situation privately with his relationship manager. The bank made more than $6.1 billion in loans in May, many of which were small business loans.”

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce president Kert Radel said he understands and appreciates Smith’s frustrations, but wished he found other sources — like the chamber — to help with his problems.

“I applaud his efforts in trying to do whatever he can to make sure that his business be at least stabilized, if not grow,” Radel said. “It’s unfortunate that he felt that he had to take such drastic steps.”

Radel said it’s too early to tell if banks are using the stimulus money correctly.

“I would like to see more of the stimulus money go to small business, and not have to jump through the hoops to get it,” he said.