Linda Fussel wrote Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger expressing her disappointment over Christal Bell-Rivera being recommended as the county’s next Library Services Director. Hofberger’s aide, Melanie Luna, replied, not the commissioner, giving HER endorsement for Christal Bell-Rivera.
- “I want to clearly express my full support for the decision to hire Christal Bell-Rivera as Library Services Director,” wrote Luna.
Background: The West Florida Public Library Board of Governance has recommended Bradley Vinson and has asked the Board of County Commissioners to reject County Administrator Wes Moreno’s appointment of Bell-Rivera. Read more.
Intangibles Over Qualifications
The WFPL Board objected primarily because Bell-Rivera lacked any experience and education in library sciences. Vinson has a Master’s from the University of Pittsburgh, worked in the WFPL system from 2004-2019, and is currently the coordinator of media services for Escambia County Public Schools.
- Luna dismissed focusing on qualifications and experience: “While qualifications and experience are essential, it is often the intangibles—character, leadership presence, vision, and the ability to build effective teams—that distinguish stellar team members from merely capable employees. Those qualities matter deeply when selecting someone to guide an institution as important as our library system.”
Grant Funding
The commissioner’s aide disputed the WFPL Board chair’s contention that Escambia County may lose grant funding if Bell-Rivera is hired to head WFPL.
“I would also like to correct some misinformation that has been circulating,” Luna wrote. “Escambia County is not at risk of losing funding. Please see asterisked information at the bottom of this email for pertinent information supporting this.” (Included in her email below)
Process Followed
Fussel had asked that the commissioners vote down Moreno’s recommendation of Bell-Rivera and appoint Vinson. She wrote, “I ask that you not participate in ‘good old boy’ politics in Escambia County. I ask that you work to move this county forward and support the recommendation of the Board of Governance, Mrs. Bradley Vinson.
Luna wrote Fussell that the County Alison Rogers has stated, “It is my opinion that the Administrator is legally and solely responsible for the selection and hiring of the Library Director. The BOG may make a recommendation. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners can either confirm the Administrator’s selection or say no, but it CANNOT vote for any other candidate.”
The commissioner’s aide ended, “Transparency and clarity are important, especially when public trust is involved. I remain confident that this process has followed the appropriate legal framework and that our community will soon see the positive impact of Christal’s continued leadership.”
Strange Move
I am not aware of any previous instance when a commissioner’s aide weighed in on a department head’s appointment and responded to an email sent to his/her boss. It makes one wonder even more about the behind-the-scenes politics at play.
- PNJ reporter Mollye Barrows wrote about the dispute over the appointment. Barrows points out that Luna’s pick is married to Ronnie Rivera, who helped run Chip Simmons’s 2020 campaign for sheriff and now works as a Community Relations Neighborhood Specialist in the sheriff’s office. Read Escambia pick for library director, not a librarian, raises questions.
Luna Email
From: “Melanie E. Luna”
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL]Library Director
Date: March 4, 2026 at 10:01:03?AM CST
To: LINDA FUSSELL
Cc: District4 <District4@co.escambia.fl.us>
Good morning,
Thank you for reaching out and for your continued advocacy on behalf of our library system.
I sincerely appreciate your engagement and your commitment to ensuring its continued success. I am a firm believer that a strong library system supports a smart and strong community, and I value residents who share that conviction.
I want to clearly express my full support for the decision to hire Christal Bell-Rivera as Library Services Director.
Having worked in Human Resources for over ten years, I understand that there is far more to selecting a strong leader than what appears in a job description.
While qualifications and experience are essential, it is often the intangibles—character, leadership presence, vision, and the ability to build effective teams—that distinguish stellar team members from merely capable employees. Those qualities matter deeply when selecting someone to guide an institution as important as our library system.
I would also like to correct some misinformation that has been circulating.
*Escambia County is not at risk of losing funding. Please see asterisked information at the bottom of this email for pertinent information supporting this.
Per the Resolution that established the Library Board of Governance, the County Attorney Alison Roger’s has clearly stated:
“It is my opinion that the Administrator is legally and solely responsible for the selection and hiring of the Library Director. The BOG may make a recommendation. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners can either confirm the Administrator’s selection or say no, but it CANNOT vote for any other candidate.”
For your knowledge and reference, I have attached the relevant resolution.
Transparency and clarity are important, especially when public trust is involved.
I remain confident that this process has followed the appropriate legal framework and that our community will soon see the positive impact of Christal’s continued leadership.
Again, thank you for your advocacy and for your dedication to our library system. I truly believe we are positioned for continued growth and success!
*Pursuant to Florida Statute 257.17, the single administrative head of a public library must have at least two years of full-time professional experience following completion of a library education program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Importantly, the statute does not require the individual to hold the formal title of “Library Director.”
For state grant applications, the single administrative head may be a qualified library professional who meets the statutory qualifications and has been designated to serve in this capacity for state aid. This designation does not alter the library’s internal organizational structure or the individual’s official job title outside of grant-related documentation.
The single administrative head form for the grant is submitted with the application annually.
This information was previously confirmed by Amy Johnson, Director/State Librarian of the Division of Library and Information Services, and was reconfirmed today, noting that other Florida library systems follow a similar structure by designating a qualified administrative professional to serve as the statutory single administrative head for state grant, even when that individual is not the Library Director.
The state aid application is subject to two statutory deadlines: October 1 and December 1. All required materials were submitted on time to maintain eligibility for funding.
For reference, in the last fiscal year, West Florida Public Libraries received $91,986 in State Aid Grant funding, representing approximately 0.767% of the library’s overall budget.
Fussel’s Email
Dear Commissioner Hofberger,
I am writing to express my great disappointment at the decision made by the county administrator regarding the appoint of a new director of the West Florida Public Libraries. The West Florida Public Library is being politicized. The search for a new Library Director has taken place over the past months. The Library Board of Governors following the by-laws for hiring a director unanimously chose Bradley Vinson, media services coordinator for Escambia County Schools. Her name was sent to the County Administrator, Wes Moreno, for approval and subsequent vote by the County Commission. However, Mr. Moreno believes that Christal Bell Rivera, who interviewed for the position, should have the job.
The Board of Governor’s chair, summed up the interviews and decisions: “At recent meetings, the Board heard from citizens who expressed concern that the outcome of the search may have been predetermined,” “We shared that, at the outset of the process, County Administrator Moreno and other County officials assured us that the County would work collaboratively with the Board to ensure the best candidate was selected. After thorough deliberation, we reaffirm that Ms. Vinson is that candidate.”
Mrs. Vinson will do an excellent job as Director of Library Services. She knows books. She has a degree in Library Science, has been a librarian and successfully directed an $11 million dollar budget for the school district. She will also defend the public library, an institution in all cities and towns essential to democracy. Mrs. Bell-Rivera does not have a degree in Library Science, only a few years of working in an assistant capability as opposed to professional work experience in a public library. How was she named a deputy director with less than a year’s experience of working as an assistant to the director?
Our libraries stand to lose out on state funding without a qualified director. Money is tight everywhere and so any opportunities to help supplement the budget are important to forwarding the library’s purpose as Escambia County and Pensacola City continue their growth.
The salary proposed for Mrs. Bell Rivera is stated to be $113,547.20 along with a car allowance of $400.00 per month. This is the budgeted salary (25-26) for the previous director, Mr. Humble. This amount was his salary after working for 10+ years as director! Why should Mrs. Bell Rivera with little to no experience begin with this high range amount?
The WFPL Board of Governance, which is the policy-making body of the library system went through a process of interviewing and vetting qualified candidates with a good-faith belief that their recommendations would be followed. Why do we ask Escambia County citizens to get involved in their community, to volunteer their time and talent and expertise, just to ignore them?
I ask that you vote NO on the recommendation of the County Administrator.
I ask that you propose or support a motion to accept the unanimous recommendation of the Library Board of Governors and appoint Bradley Vinson as Library Director.
I ask that you not participate in “good old boy” politics in Escambia County.
I ask that you work to move this county forward and support the recommendation of the Board of Governance’s, Mrs. Bradley Vinson.
Thank you,
Linda Fussell