JEFFERSONVILLE, IN (WAVE) - Not in my neighborhood! That's the opinion of many residents in Jeffersonville after the Clark County Wellness Center opened its doors Friday.
Residents were sounding off about the clinic. Neighbors told WAVE 3 they still want to know more about what goes on inside the medical clinic.
Linda Stephens lives nearby. "It's just a quiet residential area," Stephens said. "We don't understand why they chose this location, basically."
Stephens and others attended an emergency meeting July 16. The meeting was organized by neighbors to try to get some answers. Answers she said she hasn't found.
"I'd like to know more about exactly how it works and what the process is," said Stephens.
Becka Christensen is a Greater Clark County school board member who also lives by the new clinic, "The answers that we have is that the city is watching," she said.
"This is not a good fit for this neighborhood. That's the bottom line," said Christensen.
WAVE 3's David Williams asked her "Why not?" To which she replied "There's too many questions still concerning the neighbors and from what we've seen, we've got even more in the last 3 days."
Stephens said she's noticed "mostly just the additional traffic and all the cars are from out-of-state. They all have Kentucky tags. A few from Ohio."
Doctor James Patrick Murphy, MD, is a board certified pain management specialist. He has practices in Kentucky and Indiana. He is not affiliated with the Clark County Wellness Center nor is he familiar with the clinic. He heard about the facility and some resident concerns.
"I am here and I'm offering my support and my help," Doctor Murphy said, speaking about residents. "I will do what I can to educate the people. And to offer my support in this process."
Christensen said the school district's superintendent made a decision Friday morning about the bus stop on the corner, located very close to the new Clark County Wellness Center.
"It was determined that it would be wise to move the bus stop. The children being in this direct vicinity probably wasn't in their best interest right now," Christensen said.
A police car was seen at the location. An officer told WAVE 3 they've heard residents concerns. One person said they were referred to the clinic by a doctor.
"I have not seen any pills," Stephens said. "They have assured us that there will be no pills dispensed. That it's prescription only. All I can do is hope that that's true."
WAVE 3 did pass contact information along to an employee inside that Wellness Center. As of Friday evening, WAVE 3 had not heard from anyone within. Also, our calls to the mayor and his spokesperson had not yet been returned as of Friday evening.
Christensen said another meeting might be held on Wednesday and she hopes members from the center and the community will attend.
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