"Medical clinic" trying to open at Northshore/Choto (Harriman: salon, live)

[ThatTNGuy]

W. Knox residents oppose rezoning for clinic at Choto, Northshore

This proposed "medical clinic" wouldn't be too far from where I live. I've heard some rumblings about it and stumbled across the above News Sentinel article this morning.

There have been a lot of changes over the past few years at this intersection - Weigel's opened a few years back, a roundabout was finished last year that greatly improved traffic flow, and now several new businesses are moving in: a nail salon (already open), Don Gallo's and a Tennova walk-in clinic. All good stuff, from what I've seen. I was skeptical about the nail salon, in particular, but it seems to get steady business.

This, though, seems very sketchy. From what I can tell, the doctor in question has focused exclusively on addiction treatment (with the prescription drug Suboxone) in her recent ventures in Harriman and Jacksboro. Additionally, her last name seems to be either Bentley or McFarlane depending on which story you're reading. That's an odd red flag - almost like she's disguising her history to try and prevent people from digging into her past.

I think there's definitely a place for this kind of medicine, but I fear the potential ramifications of such an office opening in my neck of the woods. I may attend the County Commission meeting on April 25 to see what happens with the rezoning vote.

Anybody else heard about this?

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by ThatTNGuy

W. Knox residents oppose rezoning for clinic at Choto, Northshore

This proposed "medical clinic" wouldn't be too far from where I live. I've heard some rumblings about it and stumbled across the above News Sentinel article this morning.

There have been a lot of changes over the past few years at this intersection - Weigel's opened a few years back, a roundabout was finished last year that greatly improved traffic flow, and now several new businesses are moving in: a nail salon (already open), Don Gallo's and a Tennova walk-in clinic. All good stuff, from what I've seen. I was skeptical about the nail salon, in particular, but it seems to get steady business.

This, though, seems very sketchy. From what I can tell, the doctor in question has focused exclusively on addiction treatment (with the prescription drug Suboxone) in her recent ventures in Harriman and Jacksboro. Additionally, her last name seems to be either Bentley or McFarlane depending on which story you're reading. That's an odd red flag - almost like she's disguising her history to try and prevent people from digging into her past.

I think there's definitely a place for this kind of medicine, but I fear the potential ramifications of such an office opening in my neck of the woods. I may attend the County Commission meeting on April 25 to see what happens with the rezoning vote.

Anybody else heard about this?

They are looking for rezoning to a family medical practice. Treating drug addicts or housing a pill mill will not be allowed per the rezoning verbiage, so even if she's lying, she can't make it happen.

[ThatTNGuy]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

They are looking for rezoning to a family medical practice. Treating drug addicts or housing a pill mill will not be allowed per the rezoning verbiage, so even if she's lying, she can't make it happen.

It's the same front they've put up elsewhere, though. They tried to put a clinic in LaFollette and got turned away for the same reasons/concerns I listed, so they went down the road to Jacksboro and are now operating a clinic focused on people with opioid addiction.

If they actually have pure intentions here, that's great. I strongly believe they're not being 100% honest, however.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by ThatTNGuy

It's the same front they've put up elsewhere, though. They tried to put a clinic in LaFollette and got turned away for the same reasons/concerns I listed, so they went down the road to Jacksboro and are now operating a clinic focused on people with opioid addiction.

If they actually have pure intentions here, that's great. I strongly believe they're not being 100% honest, however.

Then they will get shut down very quickly

[geranium]

We live nearby. My concern is how personal many of the comments posted at other sites have gotten. Emotion and fear seem to be motivating some posters. Somehow the tone of the conversations has reached the personal vendetta level.

Sticking to the facts: how do we deny someone a permit for actions that we 'think' they 'might' commit?

[ThatTNGuy]

Originally Posted by geranium

We live nearby. My concern is how personal many of the comments posted at other sites have gotten. Emotion and fear seem to be motivating some posters. Somehow the tone of the conversations has reached the personal vendetta level.

Sticking to the facts: how do we deny someone a permit for actions that we 'think' they 'might' commit?

Other sites? Where, pray tell, might one find discussions going on about this? I'm interested.

And I'm not one to indict someone without evidence, but this doctor's reputation and track record absolutely precede her. She has dealt exclusively with addiction treatment, so I find it hard to believe that she's all of a sudden switching gears (especially when a Tennova medical clinic - a more established name - will be 100 yards away). I just don't think it's wise to ignore her history.