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Opponents of liquor by the drink in Alcoa don't plan to go down without a fight.

A coalition of churches and individuals has formed "Citizens Against Liquor" to rally those opposed to the measure to the polls Nov. 2.

The leader of the committee concedes, however, that the group has an uphill fight given the fact the election is less than three weeks away.

"It slipped around and got on the ballot and nobody knew it," said Henry Lingenfelter, an evangelist and committee leader who attends First Baptist Church of Maryville. "We're in a bind for time."

He said there are "myriad reasons" for opposing the measure, mainly "moral reasons" and "also from a common-sense point of view."

Despite the late rally against the referendum measure, Lingenfelter said, "We've defeated it every time" such a measure has appeared on the ballot. He said the opposition group aims to bring together all 10 Alcoa churches against the proposal, and "get them out to vote against the liquor referendum.

"We will make an all-out effort in the next two weeks to stop it."

He has support -- at least moral support -- from at least one Alcoa City Commissioner, though the effort by the group that placed the measure on the ballot, "Residents and Businesses for Liquor by the drink Equality in Alcoa," acted independently of the city.

George Williams, who is seeking re-election to a second term on the City Commission, said he is opposed to the referendum question.

"I will not be voting for liquor by the drink," he said. "I can't support it. Alcohol is the most widely abused drug of all."

He said he thinks the measure will pass, though, mainly due to the lack of time for organized opposition.

It will take a simple majority vote of those who go to the polls for the question to become law. There are 5,306 registered voters in Alcoa.

"I really wish we'd had more public information about it because a lot of people did not know it was going to be on the ballot."

City Commissioner Clayton Bledsoe, also facing re-election, did not offer an opinion, and said it's up to city voters to make the call.

"That's an issue for the citizens to vote for. The commission doesn't have anything to do with it."

Challenger Ken White said he does not support the measure, and has not in the past.

"This will be the fourth time; I voted against it three different times. I intend to vote against it this time."

He said passage of the referendum would be tantamount to "sending our youth the wrong message."

And, he asks: "Is it really that much of an advantage to our tax base?"

Blount County Administrator of Elections Becky Bradshaw said the petition necessary to place the matter to a referendum was signed by about 265 people, and only 220 were required. The petition to place the matter on the ballot "had way more than enough" signatures, Bradshaw said.

The official referendum question will allow city residents to vote "For the legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Alcoa, Tennessee," or against the same proposition.