Bossier Parish Police Jury April 16 Regular Meeting Notes

BPPJ Remembers Coach Billy Wayne Montgomery

During the April 16 Regular Agenda Meeting, the Police Jurors expressed their deepest sympathies on the passing of “Coach” Billy Wayne Montgomery, who passed away on Monday, April 14. Coach Montgomery was a pillar of our community, dedicating his life to education, sports, and public service.

Jury President Glenn Benton said Coach Montgomery was a great asset to this state and this parish. “When I moved to Haughton, he was my seventh-grade homeroom teacher. The most fearful man I've met in my life. But the longer you’re around him, the more you love him,” Mr. Benton said.

Patrick Jackson, Parish Attorney, said he witnessed a lot of the things Coach did behind the scenes to help transform our community. “He not only did the big things like BPCC parts of I-49, the riverboats, and Louisiana Downs, but also a lot of the other things that help stimulate our economy,” Jackson said. He said Coach Montgomery was a true example of what a public servant was, and he will certainly be missed, but not forgotten.  

Coach Montgomery served as principal of Haughton High School, where he led the basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 1968 and 1969, leaving a legacy in Louisiana sports. His contributions were recognized with his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Coach Montgomery represented Louisiana House District 9 for 20 years, from 1988 to 2008, advocating tirelessly for the LHSAA and the state's horse racing industry. He played a pivotal role in securing funding for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Natchitoches, ensuring the preservation of our state's rich sports history.

After his legislative career, he continued to serve our community as a legislative liaison for the Bossier Parish Police Jury until his retirement in 2021.

Coach Montgomery's impact on Bossier Parish and the state of Louisiana will never be forgotten. His dedication, leadership, and passion for service have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

Economic Impact of Veterans in Bossier Parish Highlighted

Charlton J. Meginley, Colonel (Retired) USAF and Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, addressed the Police Jury regarding the significant economic contributions of the veterans' community to the local economy.

Bossier Parish is home to nearly 11,500 veterans, who collectively contribute approximately $300 million in VA Compensation and Pension. These federal funds are a substantial boost to the local economy, coming from a relatively small segment of the population. Additionally, another $230 million is injected into the community through VA medical funding.

“Bossier is a great parish to live in, once you have left the military. Right now, we have a program called the “Boot”, and we work with the Next Stop that is working with veterans who are walking out of Barksdale, doing everything we can to keep them here so that their training, education, and that time and resources the Department of Defense has put into those men and women, they stay here to strengthen the local community,” Meginley stated.  

Meginley also emphasized the need for a new Veterans Affairs office in Bossier Parish. Jury President Glenn Benton mentioned that the Military Public Regulations Committee would collaborate to identify a suitable facility to meet these needs.