OXFORD - More than 20 Oxford residents spoke their convictions at a public hearing Thursday on whether the city should legalize Sunday sales of alcohol.

Much opinion against allowing on-premises service of alcohol focused on the community's existing "culture of alcohol."

"I deal with students who develop substance abuse problems," said Dr. Eric Hankins, pastor of Oxford's First Baptist Church. "The issue for me is ... whether we need more of something of which we already have too much."

Leone King said she saw Sunday alcohol sales as a dangerous precedent.

"I feel like we're just getting our foot in the door to get Sunday alcohol sales at restaurants ... so we can get a little more and a little more," she said.

Arguments for seven-day service included economic opportunities and lifestyle choices.

"This is not just about college kids," Duke Goza said. "There are lots of people who would like to go out and have a glass of wine with a meal."

Jerry Jordan of the Oxford Restaurant Association said the addition of drinks would encourage more restaurants to open, "taking this Conference Center out of the red and giving visitors something to do on Sunday." He estimated the move would add $600,000 to city coffers.

"Even $400,000 is a good chunk toward paying for a parking garage," he said.

Nearly 150 residents also responded by mail and by Web.

Early responses leaned heavily toward Sunday sales, but a surge of opposing opinions in the last few days had left the tally at 55 percent for and 45 percent opposed.

Self said the committee will deliver a recommendation to the mayor and aldermen later this month or early in October.

"When the board makes a decision is up to them," he said.

Contact Errol Castens at (662) 281-1069 or errol.castens@djournal.com.