About Melony

The Melony Bell Story

October 29, 1961, in Winter Haven, Florida Melony was born to Ronald C. and Laverne Guest Mincey. She was the only girl growing up along side brothers Ronnie, Tim, and Tony Mincey. Learning to stand her ground in a house full of men was a skill she later would draw from. In 1996 when she was a newly elected FT. Meade City Commissioner, she rolled her sleeves up and stood her ground against tax increases and waste. She stood against politicians and big bank accounts some times she was beaten but she still fought.

When Melony was a young girl her family moved to Satellite Beach, Florida. There her father Ronald {a Korean War Veteran} was employed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as a missile mechanic for McDonald Douglas Corporation. Though her family had moved, they did not loose touch with there roots, making frequent visits home to see family and friends. In 1975 the family was able to return to Ft. Meade when her father was offered a job at one of the local Phosphate Mines. Melony was in the ninth grade and very glad to be back where her heart had always been. Not long after the family’s return, Melony fell in love with her husband Robbie Bell. He was her High-School Sweetheart and she and Robbie were married in 1981. Robbie is a Bee farmer and is very familiar with the day to day struggles and worries of our agricultural community. He also served Fort Meade for many years as a volunteer fire fighter before becoming a full time employee as a Polk County Fire Fighter in 2000.

Melony can trace her Hancock ancestry in Polk County all the way back to the 1830’s, the first ever Polk County Board of County Commissioners was filled by one of her relatives.

Not only does Melony have roots in Polk County that go deep but she also has a vested interest in Polk’s future. Ashley Bell Barnett is the oldest of the Bell’s two daughters. Ashley received her Bachelors Degree in 2006 and is employed with the Polk County School Board. Whitnie Bell is a student at Polk Community College.

Melony recognizes that both the heritage and family values of Polk has to be preserved while initiating growth in jobs and opportunities. Opportunities that will keep our talented young people from acquiring employment and relocating to other communities.

Just as the childhood Melony had to struggle, just as the newly elected City Commissioner she had to fight against higher taxes, wasteful spending, and plenty of special interest; the older and wiser Melony will fight just as hard for all of Polk County. She will fight against bigger government, wasteful spending, and special Interest and above all she will fight against higher taxes and the erosion of families.