Wyoming Valley West 
Performs Like Champion

Acc Struggles 
Continue For 
Sura, 'noles 
Florida State Falls To Maryland

By P. DOUGLAS FILAROSKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Thursday, January 13, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A QUICK WORDS: BORIS GETS, GIVES
EARFUL 





WILKES-BARRE -- City Council member Al Boris attempted to set the record
straight on his anti-gay comments, but only managed to make residents even
more angry after four hours of bridge building at Tuesday night's meeting. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Boris tore the bridges back down by continuing his unflattering portrayal
of gays and angering a room filled with citizens who came to rebuke the
long-time councilman. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; About 150 people stormed out of City Hall after a long session in which
community members -- some of them gay -- responded to Boris' earlier
statements that gays should be shot. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Boris apologized for the shooting remark made during a Dec. 21 City Council
meeting, but has not backed away from his condemnation of gay lifestyles or
saying gays with AIDS "are getting what they deserve." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Boris also says he believes many child sexual abusers are gay and that gays
are responsible for spreading AIDS. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tuesday's meeting was the first chance for residents -- who have been
signing petitions calling for Boris' resignation and writing letters to
newspapers -- to respond to the controversial statements made by Boris. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 More than two dozen people spoke out. Most opposed Boris remarks, calling
for his resignation and for the education of other city council members who
they say have sat silent during the controversy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We need neither a bigot nor a close-minded individual to aid in the moral
restructuring of this community,' said Christopher Green, who identified
himself as being gay. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Boris sat stoic during the entire four-hour public comment period, in which
only about three or four speakers appeared to support him. One of his
supporters was his son, Paul. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When the veteran council member and tavern owner did speak, the crowd
inside City Hall interrupted him on two or three occasions, objecting to his
continued derogatory portrayal of gays. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Tuesday, Boris expressed his concern about a local resident's
unconfirmed report that men were engaging in sex with mentally retarded people
in city parks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Voices from the crowd interjected: "You're only making it worse, Mr. Boris"
... "You're not sorry" ... "You still haven't gotten the point." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When Boris quoted from a veterans' magazine: "The media has put this nation
at risk by hiding gays deadly activity with the shield of civil rights," the
room erupted with jeers, shouting and angry retorts. Council Chairman Phil
Latinski quickly adjourned the meeting and council members were escorted out
by police officers.

Boris Gets, Gives Earful Police Escort City Council Members From Their Chamber After A Raucous Meeting