WINGATE — One Wingate family is urging fellow residents to vote against liquor by the drink in this year’s referendum.

Former pastor Joe Larrimore, along with his wife, Edith Larrimore, and four of their five children, will go door to door Friday and Saturday, distributing fliers that list six reasons to vote against liquor by the drink. They also oppose an ABC store in town.

Wingate restaurants can serve beer and wine, but can apply for liquor licenses only if the referendum is passed.

Wingate, Indian Trail and Waxhaw all have liquor-by-the-drink referendums this year, in conjunction with mayoral and town council elections. Early voting began Oct. 15 and runs through Saturday. Election Day is Tuesday.

“Having been a pastor for over 60 years now, I’ve just confronted alcohol in families and automobile wrecks and wrecked homes and children who have been abused,” Joe Larrimore said. “I’ve sat at the grave of ... I can’t tell you how many people who were there because (they were) involved in alcohol.”

Joe Larrimore served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Monroe for 14 years and retired in 1986.

He has also voiced his opinion at a handful of town Board of Commissioners meetings. More than 600 fliers are ready for distribution.

“We just don’t think it will be good for our community,” he said.

Edith Larrimore is specifically worried about alcohol’s effect on college students. “We have the university here and I just don’t think we need to have any more places for them to drink,” she said, listing drunken driving as a major concern.

According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, more than 185 motor vehicle accidents in Union County involved alcohol in 2008. There were 23,255 driving-while-impaired violations statewide the same year.

“I just don’t believe in drinking, period,” Edith Larrimore added, saying that is in part because of her religious beliefs.

Other residents have said the sale of liquor would attract chain restaurants, drawing more people and money to the town. The revenue would be especially beneficial in the economic slump, they say.

How will residents react to the fliers?

“I have no idea, and we don’t care, except that we hope they won’t vote for it,” Edith Larrimore said.

She and her husband will vote against liquor by the drink and an ABC store on Election Day.

Residents can vote early between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Early voting for all towns will take place in the Union County Public Library’s Griffin Room at 316 E. Windsor St. in Monroe.