The plans to locate a clinic in one of the most outlying areas of Pike County now appear to be off.

Last year, plans were revealed for a satellite clinic of the Pike County Health Department to be located in the former Majestic Knox Creek Elementary School, now owned by Pike County Government. Pike County officials found out this week, however, that those plans have since been scrapped.

At Tuesday’s Pike Fiscal Court meeting, Pike County Senior Citizens Program Director Diane Thacker, who is also a member of the County’s Board of Health, told the court that the plans for the health department’s satellite clinic at the former Majestic-Knox Creek School had been terminated.

“Shelebra said we will not enter into a lease with Pike County Government with the building at Majestic,” Thacker told the court.

Thacker was referring to Physician Assistant Shelebra Bartley with the Pike County Health Department. She
clarified that the decision to scrap the clinic plan was that of Health Department Director Dr. Rafael Rangel.

The revelation left some members of the court taken aback, including Deputy Judge-Executive Herbie Deskins, who asked Thacker to help schedule a special meeting of the board of health to discuss the decision. Deskins said the rent-free agreement for the clinic between the county and the health department couldn’t have been more favorable for a tenant.

Thacker said the ultimate reason for Rangel’s decision was the cost associated with staffing the proposed clinic due to increases in expenses associated with retirement.

Majestic Knox Creek Elementary School was closed in 2013 and later sold to Pike County by the Pike County Board of Education. It has sat vacant since closing.

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