SPOKANE — Mayor Jim West yesterday again denied allegations that he molested two boys decades ago, and he rejected local business leaders' call for his resignation.

In his first public comments in two weeks, West apologized to residents for at times using "poor judgment in my private life." He did not elaborate, but he had earlier acknowledged visiting a gay Web site and said he had relations with adult men.

"I have said before and I repeat again that the allegations that I molested young boys over 20 years ago are entirely false," West said at a brief news conference outside his office. "I have never had improper contact with a child."

West said he intends to serve the remaining 2 ½ years of his term.

Earlier yesterday, business leaders called for West's resignation.

The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau acknowledged that West's business-friendly policies have been good for the city. But they said the controversy is distracting efforts to improve the community.

"Instead of selling Spokane, we are defending it," the groups said in a joint statement. "We believe that it is in the best interest of our community that Jim West resign as mayor."

On May 5, The Spokesman-Review newspaper began publishing a series of stories that included accusations that West molested two boys in the 1970s when he was a deputy sheriff and a Boy Scout leader.

West has denied those accounts, which were given by two convicted felons with drug problems.

West has acknowledged seeking dates on a gay Web site, and the newspaper reported allegations that he offered gifts, favors and jobs at City Hall to men he met online.

West, 55, denied offering jobs to anyone for personal gain.

"I have not used the Internet inappropriately while in City Hall or on city time and I have not used the city e-mail system inappropriately," he said.

West, who noted he has undergone surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer since he was elected mayor, ticked off a list of civic accomplishments while in office and said more than 100 city employees have urged him to stay on the job.

"I intend to serve out the remainder of my term," he said. "When all the investigations are concluded, I expect to be exonerated."