ASPSU president-elect addresses prior arrest at press conference

ASPSU president-elect Adam Rahmlow held a press conference yesterday at noon in the Smith Memorial Student Union’s Browsing Lounge to address Friday’s Vanguard article detailing his arrest last summer and the charges attending them.

On August 7, 2010, Rahmlow was arrested outside Dixie Tavern in Northwest Portland. Officers charged him with disorderly conduct, harassment, interfering with a peace officer, resisting arrest and attempted assault of a police officer, according to the police report. A jury acquitted him of all charges except for one count of resisting arrest.

The incident occurred while Rahmlow was serving as a member of the Student Senate.

“The judicial system has its flaws, but justice was served that day,” Rahmlow said at the press conference.

Although Rahmlow had previously told the Vanguard that he would publicly display the documents pertaining to his arrest and trial at the press conference, no such documents were produced.

Reflecting on the responsibilities of elected office, Rahmlow acknowledged that because his new role as ASPSU president is a public position, a leadership position and a representative position, information about his criminal record warrants a public discussion.

“I live today in a glass bowl, and rightly so,” he said. “I represent 26,000 students…and I feel very endowed and very humbled to be in that position.”

Rahmlow expressed that he cares a great deal about the university and its students, and that as a public servant he knows he will be held to a much higher standard of behavior, a responsibility he said he’s “eager to meet.”

Although the incident is “in the past,” Rahmlow said that he’s continuing to face the aftermath. He’s dealt with the incident personally, and now he must deal with it professionally.

“The mistakes that night have taught me a great deal,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about myself, a lot about life, a lot about school, a ton of different lessons that have changed me, that have changed my personal character, my understanding of a variety of things.”

According to Rahmlow, he’s now in a position where he has to earn back his reputation and his trust not only from close friends and family members, but also from the students of Portland State.

“That’s how all public servants should be gauged,” he said. “We should have to earn the public’s trust.”

When asked if he would have held a press conference on the subject of his arrest if the Vanguard hadn’t published its Friday article, Rahmlow said, “Perhaps not right now.”

He added, however, that he was pleased to have the opportunity to give full disclosure.

“I’m glad that the article came out,” he said.

Rahmlow said that his rap sheet was not fully known among ASPSU members or his opponents in the presidential race, though he reiterated that certain individuals in both camps knew of it.

“I can only hope to be judged on my actions in office, what I accomplish, how I work, how I do my job,” he said. “I hope that people feel the same way, and if they do, trust will be restored.”

Rahmlow also announced that he will be taking office in eight days.