Skip to main content

Md. neighborhood pleads for road clearing in time to pay tribute to fallen friend

UPDATE 8:29 a.m. 1/27/2015: A neighborhood resident tells WTOP’s Dick Uliano that the street has been plowed.

EARLIER: WASHINGTON — If snowplows meet Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s pledge to make every street passable Wednesday morning, then a Bethesda family will make it to the funeral home for a viewing and Thursday’s funeral of a man regarded as his neighborhood’s unofficial mayor.

“Joe Sansalone was this wonderful neighbor; he was the mayor of our court, which has 25 homes,” says Phyllis Edelman, president of the Springfield Civic Association. “He always had a good word for kids, for pets, for everybody.”

Sansalone died last week after a brief illness — and then the blizzard struck, stranding his widow, Anna, as she planned his final arrangements. Because Ogden Court is a cul-de-sac, it is among the last roads plowed in Montgomery County.

“I certainly hope that the road is going to be cleared in time,” Edeleman says.

She and other neighbors have been pressing the county to plow the street in time for Wednesday’s viewing.

Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner says the case deserves special consideration.

“Everybody is stressed; everybody wants to get about their business, but there are some people … we really need to get them out,” Berliner says.

He says he’s “knocked on the door real hard” of the county Department of Transportation to ensure that the cul-de-sac will be plowed by Wednesday, and he’s confident the job will be done.

Edelman is hopeful.

“I would take it as a sign from above that Joe has some influence now and he’s able to get the street cleared,” Edelman says.

How the ‘Juventus Way’ helped young Montgomery Co. soccer players during pandemic

When play resumes June 20 in Italy's Serie A, Juventus will be in first place and looking to secure its 68th league championship. If you're not familiar with one of the world's most famous soccer teams, think the New York Yankees of Italian soccer. But all its glamour and success is matched with true character and commitment for the way the game is played. That's not just limited to the team in Italy, but extends to a global network of youth clubs, including the Montgomery County, Maryland-based Juventus Academy DC Metro.
Read Next Story