BAY MINETTE, Ala.  — The Baldwin County Commission on Tuesday rejected a $75,000 federal grant for a walk-to-school program using volunteer escorts for safety, and two commissioners said the grant was an example of needless, federal overspending.

Charlene Lee, representing Smart Coast, said the grant would establish the program at Fairhope Elementary and Intermediate schools, and Silverhill. The Commission would be a conduit for funding transfers.

“Parental fear of walking without adults is a large barrier,” Lee told commissioners. “The volunteers would meet students at a walk stop and accompany them to school.”

She said the Alabama Department of Transportation program would provide safety, encourage exercise and combat obesity. She also said the program is spreading nationwide.

About $60,000 was earmarked for three Smart Coast staffers to oversee the program at over $24 an hour.

Commissioners Frank Burt and Bob James voted against the measure, while Commissioners Tucker Dorsey and Charles Gruber gave the thumbs up.

“The federal government made buses mandatory, and now the kids are picked up,” Burt said. “We spent millions on sidewalks.”

Burt said he walked to school unassisted without problems.

James agreed and said “grants like these are destroying the nation. There is a $1.3 trillion deficit. I cannot support this grant with the financial situation this nation is in.”

Dorsey said the program regionally benefits Fairhope and Silverhill, and that the county was mostly rural.

“There is not a chance some will walk,” Dorsey said. “It’s concentrating for the benefit of Fairhope and Silverhill.

“Educating kids to walk is great. But it’s not ALDOT’s responsibility. It’s the parent’s responsibility.”

Dorsey said he would endorse the measure if he receive regular reports of progress and spending.

Gruber said the county should accept the grant because the monies won’t be transferred to another program.

“If the government sets money out there, it will sit or go to another commission,” Gruber said. “I think we need to move forward.”