By Jeff Libby Sentinel Staff Writer May 23, 2004 PORT ORANGE

At the end of an old dirt road, just beyond some gates built from PVC piping, biker advocate "Crazy Eddie" has posted a sign for all comers: "No Trespassing. Bad Dogs. Armed and unstable owner." It's an unlikely welcome from the guy who wants to be the protector of all the "common Joes" of Volusia County. But Edward "Crazy Eddie" Colosimo, 62, president of Bikers for First Amendment Rights, says his movement to protect property owners from overzealous code-enforcement officers, eminent domain and other governmental "intrusions" is gaining ground. In the not-too-distant future, Colosimo says, political candidates are going to have to drive down his dirt road and take a seat at his dining room table if they want to win a local election. Some candidates already have met with him. And with six of seven seats up for grabs on the Volusia County Council -- including an elected position of county chairman for the first time -- Colosimo sees a chance for his group to break into local politics. "Look out unwanted politicians, because we're coming and we're cleaning house," said the retired salesman and Vietnam-era Marine Corps veteran. Since incorporating with the state in June, the group has grown to 2,000 card-carrying members and gained sponsorships from two area law firms and a bail-bonding company, Colosimo said. A fund-raising poker run today should help boost membership closer to the 5,000 Colosimo hopes to have in time for county elections. T. Wayne Bailey, a Stetson University political science professor, said if Colosimo is able to raise money the way other biker clubs have, Bikers for First Amendment Rights could gain considerable clout. ABATE of Florida, part of a national motorcycle organization, used "gentle intimidation" with state legislators several years ago, Bailey said, "sounding off the exhaust" of their bikes as part of a successful lobbying effort to repeal helmet laws. "The appeal of the biker image is also rather attractive," Bailey said. "I do know that several candidates go out of their way to let people know they're bikers." But the group's name should more closely reflect its purpose, Bailey said, since it is fighting for property and constitutional rights rather than freedom of speech. When the group formed, Colosimo said, bikers were fighting for their right to gather peaceably on private property, he said. They also were protesting Daytona Beach's ordinances against nudity. But the mission, as Bailey points out, has changed. Non-bikers can join the group by paying the $10 annual fee. The drive to protect property rights and constitutional rights appears to have a broader appeal, Colosimo said, and is bringing in a diverse array of new members. "These bikers are not the 1 percenters of 50 years ago. These are your doctors, lawyers, family people, people that make more money than the average Joe," Colosimo said. That doesn't mean invited politicians will be lining up to get into Sopotnick's Cabbage Patch in Samsula today, said Roy Schleicher, a candidate for county chairman who is facing County Council member Frank Bruno. Schleicher, a former council member, met Colosimo for coffee one morning several weeks ago. Colosimo invited Schleicher to today's event, which starts at noon and includes a voter-registration drive, a poker run, a barbecue and a cruise with police escort to the Volusia County Courthouse. Several people, including Colosimo, will speak on the courthouse steps. Usually Schleicher prefers to go to Sunday ice-cream socials or other civic organizations where he can show up in his "Roy" T-shirt and join the party, waving and shaking hands. "With this group though, you may walk in quietly. You're a little more careful," Schleicher said. "You may decide people are just there having a good time and could care less about a politician being there." That won't happen, said Colosimo, noting that his group is intensely interested in Volusia County politics. Several members helped Daytona Beach Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden during her campaign for mayor, both with radio campaigns and by holding her banners up at street corners on Election Day, Colosimo said. Scarlett-Golden said she was unaware of that help. But her campaign was large enough that it was possible she just didn't know about the help she received from Colosimo's group, she said. Scarlett-Golden met with Colosimo recently and said she is happy to know his group is working in the community. "We had a long chat," Scarlett-Golden said of the meeting in her office. "He was a very nice gentleman, very cordial, very professional and very respectful." Jeff Libby can be reached at jlibby@orlandosentinel.com or 386-253-2316.