Writer disagrees with family in Iditarod Trail dispute

To the Editor:

Regarding Donna DeFusco’s letter explaining her family’s opinions on the Iditarod Trail crossing her father’s homestead. One day, those of us who trained or raced sled dogs on the Iditarod Trail starting at Knik Lake, aka Knik Bar, were told to be sure to turn off the trail and follow an old dirt road for some distance before we could return to the trail. Apparently some sisters from the lower 48 had “lawyered up” and didn’t want mushers crossing their property.

I don’t recall Joe Redington telling us we had to go off the Iditarod Trail and follow some dirt road for awhile. I believe the Knik resident’s story about use of the trail and not Ms. DeFusco and her sister. Instead of trying to sell the homestead for some profit, I’m sure their father would be proud and happier if the family set up some type of land trust for the property so the land could not be subdivided and designated as a wilderness area. Then Alaskans, for many generations, could use the trails and enjoy the wilderness as their father did.

— Doug Bartko

Palmer