Our public record requests have started to come in—and thank you to those who bought us cups of coffee to pay for them. Each record gives a fuller picture of how Christal Bell-Rivera received the library services director job and a six-figure salary over a more qualified candidate.
We now know that Bell-Rivera scheduled a meeting with Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger and her aide Melanie Luna during the middle of the interview process.
On Friday, January 28, Bell-Rivera emailed Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger asking for a meeting.
“I welcome the opportunity to meet briefly with you next week to listen and better understand your district priorities and how the library can best support the residents you represent,” she wrote. “I am happy to accommodate your schedule and can meet at a time that works best for you.”
Why this matters: On Monday, February 2, at 9 a.m., the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance, County Administrator Wes Moreno and senior staff held preliminary interviews with the four finalists, which included Bell-Rivera.
From the minutes: “The following applicants were interviewed: Michael Jenkins, Chris Hare, Christal Bell-Rivera, and Bradley Vinson. The fifth applicant, S. Banister, emailed Ms. Powell and cancelled the interview just before their interview was to begin at 12:20 p.m. Each interview was held via a Teams meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:08 p.m.”
Read 2-2-26-special-meeting-minutes-updated-final
At 4:24 p.m. after her interview, Commissioner Hofberger replied to Bell-Rivera, copying her aide, Melanie Luna: “Hey Ladies!! I’m excited to meet! Did we set a time? If not, how’s Wednesday?”
- She didn’t need to respond because Luna had already scheduled the meeting while the preliminary interviews were being conducted.
- At 5:01 p.m., Bell-Rivera texted: “Melanie reached out this morning. Yes, Wednesday at 2:30 pm. I’m looking forward to it. Thank you!”
The full interviews were held on February 20. Read Briefing CBR.
In her text messages with Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier, Hofberger gave the impression that she had very little involvement in library services. Her priority focus was Fire and EMS. “If it’s not Fire Services or EMS, I pretty much stay out of it.”
Read more.
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Legally, does Luna “work” for Hofberger or for Moreno? Who actually hires and fires a Commissioner’s Aide? Either way, Luna should be fired or resign. I would really like to know the role played by Hofberger in removing Lori NeSmith from the Library Board. I don’t believe for a moment that Luna acted on her own. Also, what was Hofberger’s role in prior months to include when Mr. Humble retired and that very same day Moreno gave the Interim Library Director job to Bell-Rivera who met none of the minimum qualifications for the prior (2015) or later (2026) job notice. Keep at it. On her resume, Bell-Rivera appears to have distorted her work experience with the Division of Motorist Services. Anyone compare it with her official work record held by the state? Bell-Rivera’s resume also shows a nine year void from 1999 to 2008. Where was she and what did she do and why hasn’t anyone asked? Bell-Rivera’s resume (did anyone verify any of it?) does not on its face appear to support Moreno’s claim that she has 20 years of “general management and library operations” experience.
Mrs. Bell-Rivera should step up and offer to step down. Allow the process to begin again from scratch and be in full view of the public. Who knows, Mrs. Bell Rivera may be the best candidate and re-offered the position.
The County has been expecting you to stop digging, Rick. Good work.
And I still think something fishy is going on considering Melanie Luna and Bradley Vinson BOTH serve on the board of Pensacola MESS Hall.