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.