THE news that Ammanford’s fire station will retain its full-time status is obviously something to be welcomed.

The threat of making the High Street station merely an ‘on-call site’ clearly galvanised all sections of the community.

In a very short time it became apparent that residents, politicians of all colours and, of, course, the crews themselves were prepared to fight tooth and nail to preserve the status quo.

Commonsense has prevailed – the station covers a huge area which could not be adequately covered by retained firefighters.

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HOW many times do you hear complaints about the way councils spend taxpayers’ money?

In Ammanford next month, the public will get the chance to decide where their hard-earned pennies go when town councillors invite them to have their say in the setting of the town’s precept.

The public meeting is scheduled for the Pensioners Hall on Monday, January 6. These are crucial times in local government which is why – in the words of one town councillor – the decisions Ammanford Town Council has to make are too important to be decided by a mere 15 individuals.

This is why a decent turnout next month is so important.