ORANGE : Acosta Announces Mayoral Candidacy

Setting the stage for a political showdown with the mayor, Councilman John Acosta on Monday became the first candidate to officially announce for the Nov. 3 mayoral race.

Accompanied by supporters, Acosta acknowledged that recent personal problems, including a divorce and the financial collapse of his masonry business, are expected to be used against him by Mayor Daniel H. Young in the upcoming campaign.

But calling himself “Mr. Teflon,” the 58-year-old Acosta said he hoped voters would support him because of his accessibility to the public.

“I think the people in this community who vote can see through that campaign rhetoric, and they know what I stand for,” said Acosta, who has served on the City Council since 1981.

Young, 41, said he did not know whether he would use Acosta’s problems in his reelection campaign, but added, “he’s done what he’s done. . . .”

Acosta and his backers acknowledged that they face an uphill climb in their bid for the mayor’s office.

In campaign finance statements filed at City Hall, Young reported a cash balance at the end of last year of $41,554, with an outstanding debt of $2,500. Young said his cash balance has since increased to $70,000. Acosta’s most recent report shows a cash balance of $1,779, and an outstanding debt totaling $1,736.

While he hopes to raise $50,000 for his campaign, Acosta said the lack of funds would not undermine his resolve to run a “serious,” grass-roots campaign.

Acosta said his top priority would be “to insist that the city manager learn how to count to seven,” a reference to his longstanding complaint that City Manager David N. Ream deals only with the five of seven council members who are part of Young’s camp.

He also promised to make the city planning department’s regulations more in tune with the needs of local small businesses.