In a small town with small town heroes, the City of Auburn and Auburn University must now decide what to do with the remnants of former House Speaker Mike Hubbard, a once influential and beloved figure.
Hubbard, like any legislator, worked to benefit his district, which eventually led to a prominent building and street being named after him. But Hubbard was convicted of 12 separate charges of violating the state's ethics law Friday. He was immediately removed from both his House seat and the speaker's chair.
Now, a moveon.org petition is pleading for the City government to rename the street after former Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.
"With exit 57 serving as a prominent gateway to Auburn fans, prospective students, opponents and the like, 'Cam Newton Run' recognizes one of Auburn's most famous graduates and athletes who has served as a prominent and effective ambassador for Auburn both on and off the field," a description of the petition reads. "This rename also serves as a way to depoliticize what may be considered by many in this community to be a painful, yet imminent name change."
In Auburn, Mike Hubbard Boulevard stretches from the end of Bent Creek Road and serves as the gateway to the Auburn University Regional Airport. The boulevard was named in Hubbard's honor back in 2009. The Auburn City Council approved of the designation then when Hubbard was still on the rise to the top of Alabama's Republican Party.
At the time he was serving as House minority leader and chair of the ALGOP. A year later, he would help organize an historic flip of the Alabama Legislature from Democratic control to Republican control for the first time in 136 years.
Council members said they were receiving numerous phone calls from citizens asking for the street to be renamed after someone less political. They said it would likely come before the City Council soon.
"If that becomes a matter of the City Council, then obviously I will make a determination at that time," said Ward 2 Councilman Ron Anders Jr.
Efforts to contact city management about the future of Hubbard Boulevard have also been unsuccessful.
According to University officials, renaming the Hubbard Center for Advanced Science, Innovation and Commerce, a building located in the Auburn research park, will be a long and complicated process.
"Naming of campus facilities is a multi-step process that ends with a decision by the Auburn Board [of Trustees]," said Brian Keeter, Auburn University director of public affairs. "Auburn will consider all information and make a determination at the appropriate time."
Editor's note: This article was updated Wednesday, June 15, to include a statement from the University.
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