The forces pushing to let Mesquite stores sell beer and wine have attracted an unlikely foe – a beer retailer.

"This is a hugely family-oriented city. This is what attracts people to Mesquite," Rickey D. Sawyer said in explaining why he is campaigning against a measure on Tuesday's ballot that would allow merchants like him to operate in his hometown.

Mr. Sawyer acknowledged that he owns a beer store in neighboring Balch Springs – and that he plans others in the Sherman area and East Texas. But he said allowing retail beer and wine sales in the city where he raises his own children would "open up a Pandora's box."

"There's just so much that comes along with it," said Mr. Sawyer, treasurer of the Save Our Children committee, which filed documents with the city Oct. 19. "Sometimes it's not about the money; it's about what is right."

But Greg Noschese said Mr. Sawyer's efforts are about money – profits that the beer retailer will lose to Mesquite competitors if the beer and wine item passes.

"It's shocking that he says he's out to save the children, yet he sells beer and stands to be financially impacted," said Mr. Noschese, whose Save Our Stores group supports the retail beer and wine measure and a ballot proposal to lift private club rules on the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants.

"His beer store is maybe two minutes from the Mesquite border," Mr. Noschese said. "Certainly it would hit his bottom line."

Mr. Sawyer said his group opposes only the beer and wine measure and is not troubled by the restaurant item.

Save Our Stores contends the city needs both measures to compete economically with neighboring communities that allow alcohol sales. The group says Mesquite residents who go to other cities to buy beer and wine tend to do their grocery and other shopping there as well.

A third committee, Save Our Community, says beer and wine in Mesquite would have many more negative than positive effects, including public safety costs. Save Our Community remains staunchly opposed to both measures and distances itself from Mr. Sawyer's Save Our Children.

"They are not affiliated with us whatsoever," said Sue Ann Mackey, a spokeswoman for Save Our Community. "We oppose both propositions."

Representatives of Save Our Stores said they were concerned about Mr. Sawyer's sources of money. In a finance report filed with the city this week, Mr. Sawyer listed contributions of $28,000, including $20,000 of in-kind contributions to a consulting firm Mr. Sawyer hired. One contributor, HFLP Ltd., gave an address in Dallas that houses a liquor business.

"I told people I would take money from anybody that would give it," Mr. Sawyer said. "I know at least a couple of the people who gave were or are in the beer business."

Mr. Sawyer said his intent is merely to keep beer and wine away from Mesquite so the city can keep its neighborhood feel. "I went to school in Mesquite, and I have just bought a house there," he said. "I have kids, and that's why I don't want beer there."

Mr. Sawyer acknowledged that he personally won't be casting a ballot in the election because he isn't registered to vote in Mesquite. He said he recently submitted his application but not in time for the election. According to the Dallas County Elections Department, Mr. Sawyer's previous registration was deleted in 2004 because of inactivity.

As both sides dig in firmly for the final few days, most Mesquite City Council members remain publicly neutral. That's a change from 2004, when the council adopted a resolution encouraging residents to vote against lifting the private club requirement on alcoholic beverage sales in restaurants.

At the time, the council expressed concern that if the measure passed, the city could lose some control over where restaurants that sell alcohol may locate. A city ordinance adopted in 1983 generally prohibits restaurants from selling alcohol within 1,000 feet of schools, churches and hospitals and within 500 feet of homes. Council members feared passage of the measure could subject the city to weaker state law, which allows limits of no more than 300 feet between alcohol-selling restaurants and churches, schools and hospitals. No buffer is allowed between the restaurants and residential areas.

The council's 2004 resolution attracted controversy because of concern by some that it might have violated state law that bars cities from spending public money for political advertising. This time around, the city's official position is that it has no position, spokesman Greg Sowell said.

Only one council member has publicly taken a stance: Mayor Pro Tem David Paschall opposes both alcohol measures.

"Legalizing the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption will have an overall negative impact on our community," Mr. Paschall said. "There are monetary costs and social costs that will work against our efforts at renewing our community."

Council members John Heiman Jr., Stan Pickett, Shirley Roberts and Dennis Tarpely declined to say whether they support or oppose the measures. They said that while it is an important issue, it is not one that the council has any role in deciding or advocating.

John Monaco, whom the council recently decided to name mayor after Mike Anderson announced he was resigning to run for the Legislature, did not return telephone calls on the matter.

Mr. Anderson seemed torn when he spoke about the issue in May. "I'm very scared about having beer and wine sold in Mesquite," he said, "but I'm very scared about our stores closing. And I'm concerned about our restaurants closing."

Most of the council members who spoke said the election had divided the city more than they expected.

"No matter what I tell you, half the people will be upset," Mr. Pickett said. "If I respond positively or negatively, I'm in a lose-lose position."

The lack of a council stand has disappointed members of Save Our Community.

"I think it's because they're so divided," Ms. Mackey said. "I wish it were not the case. I would hope our leadership would want what's best for the city."

Mr. Noschese of Save Our Stores said the council's lack of a public position indicated to him that its members were not as opposed as they were three years ago.

"It speaks mountains to how important this issue is to the city that they have not taken a position," he said.