On Tuesday, voters in Ventura will decide whether they should raise their own sales tax. The city council says the city needs the money, but they don't necessarily want their fingerprints on any tax or fee increases.

The council is sort of wondering out loud how they will pay their bills without asking the voters directly for the money. It's the equivalent of walking down a Ventura street and asking out loud, “How are we going to pay for all these city services...gee, I wish the voters would approve Measure A, which would raise the sales tax rate by half-percent!” without actually asking anyone to do it in particular.

One lone member of the council isn't for it. That's Neal Andrews, who is used to finding himself in the minority (he was also against the ill-fated 911 fee, which also plays a role in Tuesday's election). He's made it quite clear he isn't ideologically opposed to raising taxes, and he's just as clear that the city needs more money. Why doesn't he support Measure A then?

Andrews doesn't think the money will be spent wisely, and he's pushed and pushed for the council to agree to some spending guidelines. They've resisted every step of the way. They city wants to spend the money on whatever it wants whenever it wants. And if that money finds its way into the pockets of public sector employees instead of services for constituents, the city doesn't care.

But Andrews does. He's vocal about reforming the city pension system, which earned him the undying hatred of the public safety unions.

It would be a cruel irony if Ventura voters didn't reelect the one that is best serving their interests on the city council.