The issue is so controversial that the mayor has resigned in protest because it's on the ballot.

Mayor Stewart Beatty said Heflin has been dry for more than 30 years, and the town board and the voters should leave it that way. He resigned this week; the board earlier had voted to put the alcohol issue on the ballot.

The vote would affect Heflin's general store, which also has a small restaurant.

"I'm not prompting alcohol sales, but I don't think it's fair for them not to allow people to sell something that's going to make them a profit," resident Jim Fondren said. "They need to do whatever they have to do to get people in the store. It (alcohol sales) is not going to prevent people from buying beer; its just going to prevent people from spending money here in Heflin."

Heflin stopped beer sales in 1974.

"It would be just another commodity like milk bread or anything else," store owner said Nardene Muehr, who said she needs the extra income beer sales would provide.

Opponents of alcohol sales think it will lead to more crime, littering and speeding in town.

The town board will appoint an interim mayor next week. He or she will serve until a special election is held.