BUSINESSMAN IS CHANGING HIS 'BAD BOY' BIKER IMAGE

ADAMS CENTER — When the National Republican Congressional Committee asked Erik J. Dunk to join its business advisory council, the Adams Center business owner saw an opportunity to give the north country a voice in national business policy. He figured filling out the group's surveys would be a good way for a small-town businessman to add his voice to any number of national debates.

Participating in the business council is also an opportunity for the 48-year-old to distance himself from the "bad boy" biker image and a past that includes run-ins with the law and other bad choices."People make mistakes, and I've made a lot of them," Mr. Dunk said, noting that he has cleaned up his act. "Part of it is maturing and part of it was realizing that if I'm going to be a successful and prominent businessman, I had to stop that. Like anyone else, it takes a few times to screw up before you realize."

Mr. Dunk is the owner of Iron Block Harley-Davidson Inc., on Goodnough Street and a registered Democrat. He even ran as a Democrat for Adams town supervisor in 1991, losing to Republican David W. Kellogg.

Because the advisory council is a function of the Republican Party, Mr. Dunk was not sure how he was selected, but he was not going to pass up the opportunity to serve.

"I was just pleased to be offered a position where I could bring in more business and see the north country thrive," Mr. Dunk said, adding that he has noticed of late that he has been voting Republican. "I don't know necessarily that I am a Republican. I hope there are people on this committee that are not necessarily affiliated with one party."

Mr. Dunk said he has supported both parties, primarily by purchasing their newsletters so he can see both sides of an issue and decide what stance would best benefit him, his business and the north country.

"I donate to both parties by buying publications so I can glean as much information as possible to get a proper perspective," he said. "I've seen things go by the wayside because of political agendas. If there is something I can do for the area, I'm glad to be a part of that."

Carl M. Forti, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said candidates for the council are people who have shown successful entrepreneurial skills and conservative business principles, have managed a business, have demonstrated leadership qualities and are willing to share their opinions. But he said they are also typically supporters of the party.

"The idea behind the program is that we're trying to solicit the ideas of entrepreneurs and small-business owners," Mr. Forti said. "The business people get surveyed three or four times a year, and their opinions get fed to the congressmen."

As a volunteer member of the council, Mr. Dunk will not only receive information packets that include surveys, but also be invited to various meetings and dinners at which he will have an opportunity to meet some of the people his survey answers may be influencing.

Mr. Forti said the congressional committee and Chairman Thomas M. Davis III, R-Va., do not do thorough background checks, but just compare a list of donors with a list of business leaders who might fit the mold. He said the NRCC has extended invitations to others in the area, but Mr. Dunk is the first to accept.

While Mr. Dunk is a Democrat, Mr. Forti said, it is possible he is on both lists.

Mr. Dunk's past entanglements with the law likely also went unnoticed. While his recent history glitters with donations to various charities, clearing out the alcohol in local biker rallies, and now political appointments, Mr. Dunk has a past that includes seven days in jail in 1995 for second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a three-year probation term starting in 1991 after being charged with possession of cocaine, and driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol in 1991.

His past is something Mr. Dunk said he understands he may never "live down." Recognizing this, he said, he is trying to put not only his past behind him, but the stereotypical biker image of tough criminals.

"There's a tremendous amount of good that is done by this motorcycle community," he said.

Mr. Dunk and the local motorcycle community have involved themselves in a number of national, regional and local charities. The list includes Muscular Dystrophy Association, Children's Miracle Network, March of Dimes, Camp Good Days, Hospice of Jefferson County, Adams and Adams Center fire departments, local toy drives and Thompson Park Zoo in Watertown.

The local bikers even have a ride for Earth Day to promote motorcycling and to raise money to plant trees.

"The main biker community is a benevolent community and, whatever the cause, if it's a worthy one, they'll get behind it," Mr. Dunk said. "We also try to keep whatever we're doing to a local status."

And their involvement and the amount they have been able to raise are growing. For one example, he said, in 1992 the bikers raised about $10,000 in their Bikers for Babies run for the March of Dimes in Syracuse; in 1999, they raised about $200,000.

But more local involvement can be difficult because the Watertown area does not have the volunteer or paid staffs at charitable organizations that larger cities such as Syracuse do.

"As far as our involvement with the MDA and the March of Dimes, it's harder to see a direct result," Mr. Dunk said. "That's why we enjoyed giving to the zoo. When we give them money we can go there and see what we did."

The biker community donated $4,000 to the Thompson Park Zoo for its annual Fragile Wilderness Expo.

He said bikers' involvement also extends to blood drives and get-out- the-vote campaigns.

"We do a lot of civic and community things to help people get out and better their community," Mr. Dunk said. "It's part of the main goal to be part of the community and to help people make their community a better place to live in."

He said it is all part of maintaining a "positive image."

"It's kind of like a battle. We have to constantly remind people of the good we do, because whenever we or anybody does something bad, that's what people remember," he said. "Hopefully, people will remember the good stuff."