The Auburn Plainsman 03.31.16 Issue

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Special Outdoor Guide Inside

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Thursday, March 31, 2016 Vol. 123, Issue 25, 24 Pages

ALUMNI

James Owens, player to integrate Auburn football, dead at 65

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TRANSPORTATION

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JORDAN HAYS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

AUBURN ATHLETICS

James Owens played at Auburn from 1969–1972.

Sam Butler SPORTS EDITOR

James Owens, the first scholarship African-American football player at Auburn, passed away Saturday from heart and renal failure that stemmed from recurring heart issues, surrounded by family and friends at his home. He was 65. “James Owens was the epitome of courage,” said Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs. “All of us at Auburn are forever indebted to him for the grace and courage he showed in being our first African-American player. It takes a special person to break down barriers and be first. “My heart is broken, but I am inspired by what James meant to Auburn and to me. He did a lot more than make Au-

burn better. He taught those of us who played the game how to be courageous with quiet humility. My heart goes out to his family and friends. They are all in my prayers.” Owens, who hailed from Fairfield, became the first African-American player to letter at Auburn in 1969. He played fullback from 1969–72 and gained 225 rushing yards, 119 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns while helping the Tigers to a 28-5 record in his three years with the team. His first game — one of monumental importance — at Auburn was the Tigers’ home opener against Southern Mississippi in 1970. The sections of the bleachers designated for

» See OWENS, 2

City and student leaders seek Uber’s return Chip Brownlee

COMMUNITY REPORTER

It’s been over a year since the ride-hailing service Uber decided to discontinue its service in Auburn. In that time, city officials and council members have been working to ensure that Auburn is a welcoming environment for the company and a fair environment for the city's existing taxi companies. According to Auburn City Manager Charles Duggan, city officials have contacted Uber in order to get their feedback about Auburn city ordinances. “We’ve asked Uber to reply to us about how our current ordinance doesn’t suit their being able to work here in Auburn," Duggan said. “They haven’t replied to us. It’s up to them whether they want to do business in Auburn. We certainly would welcome them.” Taxi companies are required to maintain passenger liability insurance, perform employee background checks, display signage on the vehicles for hire and obtain city permits before operating in the city.

Current Auburn codes, approved by the City Council back in January 2015, dictate that Uber must abide by the same laws and regulations as other more typical taxi services. “Some of the larger issues were that they wanted to do their own background check and not use anything prescribed by the city,” Duggan said. “They also did not want to meet the insurance requirements that the city has.” In December 2015, following an article published by The Auburn Plainsman, Jeff Steiger, owner of KGM Auburn Trax Taxi and Transportation Service, went before the City Council to urge the council not to allow Uber. “When you look at towns that Uber has been allowed back into, they’re very much different than Auburn,” Steiger said. “Auburn is a college town.” During the 2016 SGA election season, two of the three candidates for SGA president touted bringing Uber back to Auburn as one of their main platform points. One of the key reasons, according to the candi-

dates, is the safety, security and cost-effectiveness Uber provides. “It’s a great way for students to have a cheap ride, whether that’s late at night or during the day,” said Jesse Westerhouse, SGA president. “It’s very easily accessible and easily usable by students. It also provides a quick and easy job for students. Students have it in high school and don’t have it in college. They deserve to have it in a lot of ways.” Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile, among others, have adjusted their city codes to allow for Uber to operate in their respective cities. Tuscaloosa is currently researching and discussing the possibility of allowing Uber. According to Westerhouse, he met with city staff, including Mayor Bill Ham, last week to push for the city to allow Uber. But according to Steiger, if taxi services go out of business, Uber may not be available when students need it. “(Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

» See UBER, 2

POLITICS

Judge denies Hubbard’s motion to dismiss, ethics trial set for May Jim Little

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial is a step closer to happening. Judge Jacob Walker issued an 18-page order Tuesday, March 29, setting the trial to begin the week of May 16, but ordered lawyers in the case to be ready as soon as May 9 if other cases on the docket are resolved. Hubbard was charged with 23 felony counts of violating Alabama’s ethics law in October 2014. The case was set to begin April 11, but the prosecution asked for a delay because special prosecutor Matt Hart will be recovering from knee surgery. Walker also ruled on several pending motions, including a motion from Hubbard’s attorneys, that the case be dismissed because of prosecutorial misconduct by Hart.

Walker denied the motion and said Hart’s actions did not rise to the level of prosecutorial misconduct, according to court documents. Attorneys for Hubbard said Hart used a Lee County grand jury to threaten former Deputy Attorney General Sonny Reagan over disputed office space. Reagan resigned from the attorney general’s office in 2014 after Attorney General Luther Strange said he would fire Reagan for giving legal advice to Hubbard about the Lee County grand jury. The defense also accused Hart of leaking a sealed court document to Bill Britt, editor of the Alabama Political Reporter website, and they argued that Hart leaked information related to the grand jury. Hart said he sent Britt the document without realizing the document was under seal and told Britt about the mistake as soon as he found out.

Britt had already published the document online, but he took it down after Hart told him it was under seal. The incident caused Walker to issue a gag order to all of the attorneys in the case, prohibiting them from speaking to the media about the case. “Though the incident involving Mr. Hart and Mr. Britt was regrettable, it occurred more than a year after (Hubbard) was indicted,” Walker said in his Tuesday order. “The defendant has failed to produce evidence that Mr. Hart was, in fact, ‘leaking’ information related to the Lee County Special Grand Jury, rather than sharing court filings with media contacts.” Walker also said his order did not prevent Hubbard’s defense team from bringing up Hart’s handling of the case at trial. Emails as evidence Hubbard said the case was a “political witch hunt” when he

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Speaker Mike Hubbard (center) leaves the Lee County Justice Center with his lawyer Lance Bell and wife Susan.

was indicted in 2014. Prosecutors claim Hubbard used his office and his term as head of the Alabama Republican Party to personally benefit himself. “Hubbard was motivated by his financial problems, includ-

ing the loss of his employment with IMG, to solicit lobbyists and principals for things of value (i.e, consulting contracts for Auburn Network, financial favors, etc.),” said W. Van Davis, acting attorney general in the case, in a 2015 court filing.

“Hubbard’s solicitation of persons with interests before the Alabama Legislature was also directly related to his service as a public official.” Great Southern Wood CEO

» See HUBBARD, 2

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