In March, Mayor D.C. Reeves appointed Rachel Hendrix (Lockwood) to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance. Hendrix (Lockwood) is the executive director of the University of West Florida’s Office of International Affairs. Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger’s aide, Melanie Luna, considers Hendrix (Lockwood) one of her “Barbies,” according to this article written by Luna for the Local Pulse.
Background: Luna was promoting her 2024 Life’s A Dance Showcase. She wrote, “I will be dancing with my Greater Pensacola Chamber Leadership Pensacola forever friends Labarian Turner, Daniel Joyner, Randall Richardson, my Barbies: Ashley Anderson Saba, and Rachel Hendrix Lockwood, my brilliantly talented husband, Victor Luna, and surrounded by so many other remarkable community members taking the stage.”
Luna’s Ever-Growing Role
Hiring Bell-Rivera
Public records show Luna’s role in getting Christal Bell-Rivera the library services director job.
Mean Girls: Text messages between Commissioner Hofberger and Luna mocking another finalist for the position. Luna monitored the process for her boss:
Luna texted Hofberger: “I talked with Wes, and he is firm in his decision. He also told me Bradley took OFF her shoes during the interview * (Green-faced sick emoji) and bombed it completely. So there’s that.”
Hofberger replied: “Shoeless librarian….I can see the memes.” Luna tagged it with “Ha Ha.”
Human Resources Director Nikki Powell apparently joined in. Luna texted Hofberger: “Nikki came by and said Bradley has ZERO managerial experience.”
Luna followed up: “I am sending & printing a packet for you with their resumes.”
Hofberger replied: “Thank you! This is ridiculous.”
Luna agreed: “Truly ridiculous!”
Changing the WFPL Board
In November 2025, Mayor D.C. Reeves suddenly removed Lori Nesmith from the WFPL Board. We obtained a copy of the letter to NeSmith announcing her removal. Strangely, Melania Luna was copied on the letter, which led to Inweekly making more public record requests. NeSmith Removal
The records revealed Luna played a significant role in the removal. Emails between Luna and Dustin Retherford, the city’s policy & legislative affairs officer, show Luna giving Retherford detailed instructions on how to remove NeSmith. [2025-11-05 16-06] meluna
Luna’s Friend Installed
Luna helped get NeSmith removed and her “Barbie,” Hendrix (Lockwood), on the board. No one would have known, except they left a trail of public records.
When Mel Pino speaks at public forum she knows her stuff. The thing that has baffled is the about being open transparent. The fact is the district 4 office never answers the phone.
Eric, thank you so much for the vote of confidence. But on the issue of this out of control D4 office, people will either start coming and speaking out, or they won’t. Anyone who is invested in good governance in our community is aware of what they are up to, thanks to Rick, and following it. So it’s not as if there is a need to get the word out…people know, and so far the only groups who aren’t disgusted by what’s happening are Downtown/Charter puppet masters (a given) and Escambia Fire (natch, as they have always been tragically drawn towards backing a flameout, and tripping over their hoses to run themselves directly into a problem with another commissioner while they get used politically…same old story).
And it shouldn’t be overlooked that it is *really* hard for people to get to meetings these days, or do *anything* other than try to make ends meet in this horrible economy. So that is a big reason why turnout has dwindled.
“What do you do when you can’t afford meat, gas, or healthcare?” Wrong answers only! Dee ba dee ba deep….
https://www.facebook.com/melbelle44/posts/pfbid0ScUnYoQFz4EC4yu38okDtMDcBRZEMHwqqrepmtVQi8Nwc7uRtmWbaFniApYhgnjSl
The only way I see this being resolved is getting people to speak at public forum. I think it i time people let their voice be heard. I am asking Mel Pino to the lead on this an get as many people to speak as possible.
Tell us more. Exactly “how” did Melanie Luna have her “Barbie” Rachel Hendrix appointed to the library board? As for the Ashley Saba, she was “also” in Leadership Pensacola 2023 along with Melanie Luna, Rachel Hendrix and Ronnie Rivera. It’s mentioned at the below link.
https://www.northescambia.com/2025/09/tate-high-school-graduate-ashley-saba-named-floridawest-director-of-business-development
At this point, there’s more than enough evidence of misconduct for a BCC member to put on the next agenda a Motion to Rescind the March 5th action to affirm County Administrator Wes Moreno’s appointment of Christal Bell-Rivera. In the interim, County Attorney Alison Rogers should prepare a memorandum of law clarifying the role of the Library Board and the County Administrator as intended in the BCC’s 2013 Resolution. In December, I asked the Library Board to seek such a clarification but they would not. Do it.
Unbelievable, even by Escambia standards. And it just gets worse from here, as their Keystone Cop coverup continues to implode.
That sandwich board can’t prop the both of you up too much longer, Lunaberger. Something gotta give.
Not only is Luna running the county she’s running the mayors office and the competency board. Maybe commissioner Luna should send Wes Moreno home since she runs the county, city, and competency board.