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Discover Lafayette

Discover Lafayette

De : Jan Swift
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  • Judge Doug Saloom Reflects on 31 Years on the Bench, Seven Decades of Family Service, and a Life Devoted to Lafayette

    Judge Doug Saloom Reflects on 31 Years on the Bench, Seven Decades of Family Service, and a Life Devoted to Lafayette
    Oct 30 2026
    After 31 years serving as a Lafayette City Court judge, Judge Douglas “Doug” Saloom is preparing to retire at the end of 2026, closing a remarkable chapter in Lafayette’s judicial history. Between Doug and his father, the late Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr., the Saloom family has served on the Lafayette City Court bench for more than seven decades. Judge Saloom joined Discover Lafayette to reflect on his family’s deep roots in Lafayette, the lessons he learned from his father, his commitment to treating everyone who enters his courtroom with dignity and respect, and the many interests that will keep him busy after retirement. While his judicial accomplishments are extensive, what shines through in our conversation is his genuine love of people and the Lafayette community. A Family Legacy That Helped Shape Lafayette Judge Saloom grew up surrounded by the legal profession. His father, Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr., served as Lafayette City Court judge from 1953 until his retirement in 1993. As a young boy, Doug accompanied his father to the courthouse on weekends, helping update the pocket parts of Louisiana’s legal reference books. As he grew older, he and his siblings would walk over from school and sit in the courtroom waiting for their father to finish his work. His father’s influence extended far beyond the courthouse. Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr. was deeply involved in Lafayette’s civic life and had witnessed the community’s transformation from a small town into a growing regional center. Kaliste Saloom, Jr. and his wife, Yvonne Nassar Saloom, on their wedding day in 1958 Judge Kaliste Saloom, Jr. and hs wife, Yvonne Saloom. One interesting bit of Lafayette history involves Kaliste Saloom Road. Contrary to what many assume, the road was named not for Judge Doug Saloom’s father, but for his grandfather, Kaliste Saloom Sr. Doug explained that his grandmother owned land in what was then the countryside outside Lafayette, where she enjoyed going to pick pecans. When land was needed for a fire station, she donated a portion of her property, and the road was named in honor of her husband. As Doug recalled his father’s favorite explanation: “Dad always said the road and I are named after the same person.” The family’s connection to Lafayette’s history is something Doug hopes to preserve. Among his retirement projects will be reviewing his father’s papers, correspondence, and historical records, including documents relating to Lafayette’s early civic development and his father’s World War II military service. From Tulane Law School to the Lafayette City Court Bench A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now UL – Lafayette, Doug earned his law degree from Tulane University in 1985. He always knew he wanted to practice law. Growing up in a family immersed in the legal profession, he could scarcely imagine another career. After law school, Doug returned to Lafayette and joined his brothers in the family law practice. His early career included criminal defense work, and he became involved with the public defender’s office after accompanying attorney Gerald Block to court. That experience sparked a lasting interest in criminal law and courtroom advocacy. In 1994, when Judge Mike Sullivan announced his move to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, an opportunity arose to seek the Lafayette City Court judgeship. Doug discussed the possibility with his older brother, who encouraged him to pursue it. Doug was elected and took office in November 1995. His father had retired two years earlier, and Doug’s election began another generation of Saloom family service on the City Court bench. Why City Court Is Truly the People’s Court Judge Saloom describes Lafayette City Court as a place where ordinary citizens can resolve disputes without the expense and complexity of larger court proceedings. City courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, handling civil disputes, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, traffic offenses, and certain misdemeanor criminal cases. During his tenure, Judge Saloom worked with legislators to increase Lafayette City Court’s civil jurisdictional limit, which was just $5,000 when he first took office. The limit eventually increased to $35,000, bringing Lafayette in line with other city courts in the 15th Judicial District. He believes that City Court’s greatest value is its ability to resolve disputes efficiently and provide citizens meaningful access to justice. “The purpose of a city court is expedient resolution of a conflict.” He explained that attorneys often choose City Court because trials can typically be scheduled much more quickly than in district court. But what he especially enjoys is working with people who appear without attorneys. He understands that for many litigants, simply having an opportunity to explain their situation and feel heard is profoundly important. “A lot of times the end result is not as important as the...
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  • J.P. MacFadyen — Moncus Park, a Place Where Community, Nature and Belonging Come Together

    J.P. MacFadyen — Moncus Park, a Place Where Community, Nature and Belonging Come Together
    Oct 16 2026
    When J.P. MacFadyen first joined Discover Lafayette in 2022, Moncus Park was still in the early stages of becoming the extraordinary public gathering place envisioned by a group of determined Lafayette citizens nearly two decades earlier. Today, the 100-acre park in the heart of Lafayette has blossomed into one of Acadiana’s most treasured destinations, offering everything from peaceful walks among native plants and wildlife to concerts, outdoor movies, fitness classes, farmers markets, and holiday celebrations. J.P., who joined Moncus Park in 2019 as operations director and became executive director in 2021, returns to share the latest developments, including new facilities, an ambitious calendar of free public programming, and the financial realities of operating a privately managed, nonprofit park that welcomes everyone. The conversation also takes us back to the beginning, when two young women, E.B. Brooks and Danica Adams, helped rally the community to save the former horse farm from development. Reflecting on their efforts more than 20 years ago, J.P. says, “There was a yearning and now even more so for public spaces where people can connect and belong.” That sense of belonging remains central to everything Moncus Park does. More Than a Beautiful Green Space One of the most remarkable aspects of Moncus Park is the feeling of escape it provides despite its location along one of Lafayette’s busiest thoroughfares. A short walk into the park brings visitors into a landscape of rolling hills, water, trees, wildlife, and peaceful places to reflect. J.P. explains that the park’s programming is built around three guiding pillars: nature and sustainability, community and belonging, and health and wellness. These priorities are reflected in a growing assortment of activities, from birdwatching and learning about native plants to yoga, Pilates, sound baths, cultural exchanges, and organized dog walks. The park partners with For the Birds of Acadiana to release rehabilitated birds back into their natural environment. Visitors can participate in these releases, which are incorporated into the park’s nature programming. Moncus Park also works with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on cultural exchanges that introduce visitors to different traditions through food, dance, and other experiences. Even something as simple as walking a dog can create a meaningful human connection. “It’s amazing when you put people in a public space together with some sort of activation, how easy it is for people to bond,” J.P. explains. For J.P., these activities serve a larger purpose. They provide a reason for someone to visit the park for the first time, discover its beauty, and perhaps develop friendships along the way. He describes a philosophy of creating inviting public spaces that begins with making them clean, safe, and welcoming. From there, thoughtful landscaping, benches, shade, and amenities make people comfortable. Programming then brings the space to life. New Improvements: A Meditation Garden, More Parking and a Farmers Market Pavilion Several significant improvements have made Moncus Park more accessible and inviting. Among the newest additions is the Kergan Family Meditation Garden, located beyond the central bridge toward the quieter back portion of the park. The garden is arranged into four smaller garden spaces, each with distinctive plantings, benches, water features, and inspirational messages. J.P. describes it as a place designed for reflection, where visitors can enjoy a moment of quiet in the middle of the city. The park has also substantially expanded its parking capacity with assistance from state funding. The primary paved parking area increased from 155 to 225 spaces, and the new Paul Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion includes an additional paved parking area. With overflow parking, the park can accommodate approximately 600 vehicles during major events. The Farmers Market Pavilion represents another important milestone. In addition to providing a home for the popular Saturday market, it creates new opportunities for weddings, family reunions, corporate crawfish boils, and other gatherings. These rentals are especially important because they help generate the revenue necessary to sustain the park’s operations. The Financial Reality of Running Moncus Park One of the most revealing portions of our conversation concerns a fact that many Lafayette residents may not fully appreciate: Although the City of Lafayette owns the land, Moncus Park is operated and maintained by a nonprofit conservancy. The conservancy is responsible for the park’s construction, maintenance, security, landscaping, programming, trash collection, and day-to-day operations. Its annual operating budget approaches $3 million. “That is a challenge we face every year,” J.P. acknowledges, explaining the continuing need to educate the public about the park’s financial structure. The organization relies on ...
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    50 min
  • Robert Schacht – From Hollywood to Aerospace Manufacturing: Building a Future in Lafayette and Championing the Arts

    Robert Schacht – From Hollywood to Aerospace Manufacturing: Building a Future in Lafayette and Championing the Arts
    Oct 23 2026
    Robert Schacht has lived a life that bridges seemingly different worlds: Hollywood filmmaking, aerospace and defense manufacturing, international trade, and classical music. Today, as Chairman and CEO of Westfield Fluid Controls and Westfield Hydraulics, he is building a sophisticated manufacturing operation in Lafayette, Louisiana, while also serving as Chair of the Board of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. Raised in Beverly Hills, California, Robert grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry. His grandfather was the legendary actor Ross Martin, best remembered for portraying the brilliant master of disguise Artemus Gordon in the 1960s television series The Wild Wild West. Robert followed his early interest in film to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, eventually working in the movie business before embarking on a dramatically different career in aerospace and defense. What brought him to Lafayette, and what keeps him here, is a fascinating story of economic opportunity, cultural richness, family values, and the importance of building something that lasts. Why Lafayette? A California Businessman Finds His Home in Acadiana When Robert began considering relocating his manufacturing business from California, Louisiana wasn’t even on his list. Manufacturing in California had become increasingly difficult, particularly for a business seeking to expand its capabilities and operations. Robert began evaluating locations across the country, including areas with established aerospace and defense industries. A friend from Lake Charles, Gray Stream, encouraged him to consider Louisiana. That introduction led to meetings with economic development professionals, including Greg Gothreaux of Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). Robert was impressed by the professionalism and transparency of Lafayette’s economic development leadership. Gothreaux understood what his company needed and was equally candid about the region’s limitations, particularly the absence of an established aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem. But Lafayette had something else. “There was an energy here that was very different, unique,” Robert recalled. After touring communities across Louisiana, two characteristics distinguished Lafayette: its early investment in fiber-optic infrastructure and its extraordinary cultural heritage. For someone operating a technology-intensive business, Lafayette’s commitment to fiber demonstrated forward thinking. Equally important was its rich tradition of music, art, and cultural engagement. Robert explained that recruiting and retaining talented executives requires more than attractive business incentives. “You can’t recruit and retain executives without cultural development in parallel with economic development.” Lafayette offered both. What began as a location that wasn’t even under consideration quickly became his first choice. The move has also profoundly affected Robert’s family. He and his wife are raising their five children, including two still in school, and he values the kindness, courtesy, and genuine friendships they have experienced here. “I have made more adult friends here than I ever would have imagined possible just because of the genuineness, the relationships. People are open.” For Robert, Lafayette offers something increasingly difficult to find in larger metropolitan areas: a welcoming community where relationships matter and children can grow up with an appreciation for respect, responsibility, and humility. Westfield: Precision Manufacturing for Aerospace, Defense, and Space Exploration Robert’s companies, Westfield Fluid Controls and Westfield Hydraulics, design and manufacture sophisticated fluid-control components for aerospace, defense, and space applications. These components may be relatively small, but their functions are critically important. Westfield manufactures solenoid valves, actuators, reservoirs, and other precision components that control hydraulic, fuel, and pneumatic systems in aircraft, missiles, military vehicles, and spacecraft. The company produces approximately 2,000 different items, many consisting of 30 to 40 individual parts. Its manufacturing requirements are extraordinarily precise. Robert explained that some components operate with metal-to-metal clearances of approximately 40 millionths of an inch, a tiny fraction of the width of a human hair. Westfield has built a new 30,000-square-foot facility in Lafayette and maintains approximately 20,000 square feet of operations in California. The company is developing parallel capabilities to ensure continuity of operations in the event of natural disasters or other disruptions. Robert explained that certain Federal Aviation Administration certifications make maintaining a California presence necessary, at least for the foreseeable future. At the time of our interview, Westfield employed 18 people in Lafayette and had committed to growing to 67 ...
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    42 min
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