Supporters Stand with Madison Barber, Fundraiser for Meadowood Barbershop

Katie Swenson, Madison Police Chief Koval and
popular former owner, ole-school Larry the Barber

A crowdfunding fundraiser has been established to save the Meadowood Barbershop.

A staple of the Meadowood community, the shop is owned by Katie Swenson.

"This place is glue to this neighborhood. And everyone is working together on this," said a frequent patron. "It would be a shame to see this business go down."

From the crowdfunding site: 

The Story

Katie Swenson bought Meadowood Barber Shop Oct 1, 2012 to continue doing what she loves most: hair - and to realize her dream of having her own shop. Katie, Larry, and former-owner Don cut hair for members of the Orchard Ridge, Greentree, and Meadowood communities - providing not only great services, but a real sense of small-town community; customers are treated as friends and even family. Having grown up in the neighborhood, Katie is a true advocate for our immediate area and its people, and creates a true sense of community within her shop. She not only is generous with her time and talents, but continually raises awareness and funds for the needs of others.

Her children, who attend Orchard Ridge Elementary, love spending time at the shop with her and know many of her clients as extensions of their own family. (Daughter Tianna wants to grow up to own a hair salon, just like Mom) She knows their friends and those friends' parents. She gives discounted cuts for the kids for back-to-school.

For all that Katie has done in the community, she now faces a true hardship of her own: a new, 5-year lease for the shop must be signed along with a $2,000 deposit by December 15th or she will be forced to close her doors.

Blaska Wrong on Neighborhood Ills

People of color about; run away!

Update: Customer today at Meadowood shopping mall: "Why are Blaska and the media talking down business here. Not ONE crime has occurred against a person in this mall. It doesn't making any sense!"

David Blaska Short Sighted and Wrong

by Jackie Captain

To what end does David Blaska ask us to seek the 'root causes' of the Meadowood neighborhood's 'ills' (see Blaska's guest opinion column, Wisconsin State Journal; 10/6/12)?

So that he can have someone to blame -- other than himself -- for the neighborhood's supposed demise? Because Mr. Blaska, if you are not part of the solution, you are definitely a part of the problem here.

What are the 'root causes' of the neighborhood ills -- Blaska never says really in his piece. He implies that it is section 8 housing, 'food stamps, free meals, and other goodies.'  Are those involved in any of these government programs ever asked to join the neighborhood associations or welcomed to the area?

I lived in a condo in the adjacent Jamestown neighborhood for twelve years and never once was asked to join the neighborhood association. I never felt I was a welcomed part of the community.

Does section 8 housing itself cause neighborhood deterioration, as Blaska implies, or is it the existing neighborhood's response to section 8 housing that underlies the lack of community?

Why do none of the neighborhood associations ask the apartment, condo, and duplex dwellers to join and become active members of the community?

Why aren't they welcomed to the neighborhood and asked to join committees that decide the fate of their streets and the celebrations throughout the year?

Many of my neighbors in the Jamestown area had moved up to Madison from Chicago to escape that city's mean streets only to find mean people here.

Blaska seems to argue that once he miraculously disclosed the root cause of the Meadowood neighborhood's ills as section 8 housing that flight from the neighborhood is the only option.

Does Blaska's column give us any insights with which to go forward. No, but Madison Mayor Soglin has. Blaska gives us only snide jokes and disparaging comments.

To create a healthy, friendly community, you have to treat all members of the neighborhood as equals and ask them to join in the fight to make their city, neighborhood, and community to be the best place possible.

Forget the name calling and the finger pointing and get down to work, David Blaska.

Note: A version of this column appeared as a letter in the Wisconsin State Journal.