Dial 765-2148

The Live Wire will stand up for your rights, answer your questions and help cut red tape – Try it and see!

Q. The street light on the corner of Hearn and Claudia Drive has been out for two weeks. When can we have it replaced (V. B.)

A. Live Wire has reported the burned-out light to S. C. Electric & Gas Co., and your new light is on its way.

Q. It is my understanding that the Officers’ Club at Fort Jackson is operated by the government for the convenience of the officers at Fort Jackson, and it is not supposed to be in direct competition with the restaurants in Columbia. However, I know that there are no restrictions to prohibit anyone in Columbia from utilizing the Officer’s Club. As a matter of fact many people who are not associated with the military use the Officers’ Club. This is unfair to the restaurant operators in Columbia. What can be done about this? (J. C.)

A. Use of the Fort Jackson Officers’ Open Mess is restricted to active and retired officers and warrant officers, reserved forces officers and certain employees of other Federal agencies who are registered, dues-paying members of the mess, their dependents and their individually sponsored guests, a military spokesman says. Periodic checks of membership cards are conducted. The Board of Governors or the Commanding General may invite specially selected groups to the mess on a “one-time” basis.

Q. Is there a place in Columbia where a person over 20 years of age can take an IQ test? If so, where, and what is the charge? (J. W.)

A. Yes. There are three ways to get an IQ test in Columbia. The Richland – Lexington County Mental Health Clinic and the Psychological Service Center at USC both administer IQ tests for which there is a small fee, based on income. You can also have a private psychologist administer an IQ test at a higher price. You may get a list of psychologists from the president of the State Psychological Association, Robert Heckle, who is in the psychology department at USC. Also, any person who is enrolled in any of the adult education programs can usually obtain tests from the school system.

Q. Why doesn’t Columbia have a school for deaf children? (A. W. S.)

A. The Hearing and Speech Center here has been trying to find a full-time teacher of the deaf for two years, but qualified persons are scarce and usually demand high salaries. A spokesman for the center says they are still looking and hope to find a teacher, particularly since they have a list of 25-30 pre-school children who need special therapy and training. Meanwhile, a part-time teacher is expected this summer. Children can be enrolled by calling the Hearing and Speech Center, 252-0303.

Q. Is there a Primitive Baptist Church in the vicinity of Columbia, Killian, Lugoff or Blaney? (L.M.)

A. We know of one – New Hope Baptist Church – near the Veterans Hospital in Columbia. Because Primitive Baptists do not have a central organization, we have been unable to find names of any others. If this church is not what you have in mind, call Live Wire and leave your address. We expect a list of all Primitive Baptist churches in the state within a few days, courtesy of Tom Brannon, director of public relation for the S. C. Southern Baptist Convention. We’ll mail the list to you.

Q. Who writes the Palmetto Service Diary column in the Columbia Record, and where do they get their information? (Mrs. R. K.)

A. Record Staff Writers Margaret Ann Niceley and John M. Perry Jr. write the column from information sent by Fleet Hometown New Service and public information offices of military installations around the world where South Carolina men are stationed.

Q. When can we expect Trenholm Road to be widened from Forest Drive to Decker Boulevard? (P. S.)

A. Probably not for several years, according to S. C. State Highway Department engineers. No funds have been allocated for such a project. Several studies and surveys have been made near the Dentsville area with the object of improving Trenholm Road, but when funds are made available, the most urgent part of the project will be Decker Boulevard at U. S. 1, the engineers said.

Q. What is going to be built on Two Notch Road near Belt Line by the Burger King place? (C. F. W.)

A. A used car lot.

Q. How many tourists visit South Carolina each year? (B. B.)

A. The number grows every year, according to the State Development Board. The Latest official report says 15 million persons from other states and countries visited here in 1966. Speaking in fiscal terms, that’s $175 million spent.