At 11 a.m. today, Inweekly publishes my full investigative report on the County Administrator Wes Moreno’s takeover of the West Florida Public Libraries system and how his staff lied to ensure Christal Bell-Rivera became the library director. There are several points that might get overlooked in this dumpster fire. Read “Lies, Deceit & Abuse of Power” when it goes live later this morning on inweekly.net.
RIGGED FROM THE START
1. Moreno wanted Bell-Rivera to be the library director from the beginning. The job posting, his call for “collaboration” with the Board of Governance, and the interviews were a farce. The hiring was rigged from the start. HR Nikki Powell tried to hijack the process and cut out the library board. Moreno tried to pressure Board Chair Blaine Wall to give the job to Bell-Rivera. The job requirements were modified to fit Bell-Rivera, which ironically she still didn’t meet (see #3).
HOW DARE A WOMAN SPEAK OUT
2. Moreno had to get Lori NeSmith off the library because she knew more about the resolution, interlocal agreement, bylaws and the 2015 hiring process than he or his staff. He might have taken the pointed conversation from a man, but sure as hell, he wouldn’t let a woman stand up to him. Moreno lied to Mayor Reeves and the county commissioners that NeSmith was rude and hateful. The meeting’s audio and interviews with those in attendance refute his statements.
APPLICATION LIES
3. Bell-Rivera lied on her application. She checked the box that she had Master’s degree in Library Science—she did not. She checked the box indicating she had at least five years in a managerial/administrative role in a public library—she did not. Bell-Rivera had less than four years. HR Director Nikki Powell should have ruled that Bell-Rivera did not meet the qualifications. Read the Application of the Director.
SMEAR CAMPAIGN – REACTIVE, NOT PROACTIVE
4. I have been told Bell-Rivera was chosen over Bradley Vinson because School Superintendent Keith Leonard and school board members blamed Vinson for the lawsuits the school district is facing over book removals. Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger made a veiled reference in her interview with Jeff Bergosh. False. Moreno had already decided on Bell-Rivera long before Vinson applied. The horrific smear campaign against Vinson began when the public voiced its objections to Bell-Rivera getting the job.
PICK NOT EXPLAINED
5. Moreno has never said why he chose Bell-Rivera. We have only two favorable comments about her. Deputy County Administrator Debbie Bowers wrote, “Based on the interviews I participated in last week, I believe that Christal Bell-Rivera is hands down the top candidate.” Commissioner Hofberger supported Bell-Rivera: “Sometimes the heart that somebody has, and the passion they have for the job that they do, along with other relevant experience, combines and makes them the perfect fit for the job.”
CHA-CHING
6. On May 29, Commissioner Hofberger announced that her aide Melanie Luna was stepping down, effective immediately. Luna is still on the county payroll. According to County PIO Kaycee Lagarde: “Melanie Luna provided a 90-day notice on May 29 per county policy, and will be paid out for the remainder of her 90 days through Sept. 1. She would be eligible to apply for any open county positions in which she meets the qualifications.”
Regarding “Application Lies” above: I found a current position description online for a “Senior Highway Safety Specialist” with Florida’s Division of Motorist Services. It seemed very different from Bell-Rivera’s write-up of the job on her resume. Did Escambia County HR Department ask Bell-Rivera for the position description and performance reviews to cover the job she claimed to have held from August 2008 to June 2022? Also, did she actually hold that same position for nearly 14 years? If she instead held multiple positions is that a falsification of her resume? Also, is it true that she held no job after graduating from UWF in 1999 until August 2008? If she did work, was she required to disclose what she did? When Library Director Bell-Rivera speaks it is obvious she is mostly “winging it” about plans, programs, policies and budgets. During her interviews, she often struggled badly to pronounce words mouthed from what have been AI-generated answers. I can see why Bell-Rivera opposes livestreaming Library Board meetings so the public can watch.