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The state General Assembly may have adjourned April 13 but the District 21 team is still meeting with its constituents to address their concerns.

During their latest community session on June 17, Democrats Sen. James C. Rosapepe of College Park and Dels. Benjamin S. Barnes of College Park, Barbara A. Frush of Beltsville and Joseline Peña-Melnyk of College Park met with the Beltsville Citizens Association to address complaints ranging from crime to poor road conditions.

"We probably have done 20 [of these meetings]," Barnes said. "We really enjoy it. I think it's helpful to the community to hear what we've been up to in Annapolis."

About 30 Beltsville residents attended the meeting at Beltsville Elementary School where two of the most popular topics were stimulus spending and infrastructure concerns.

Legislators cited stimulus projects that could improve infrastructure in Beltsville, including $15 to $20 million for improvements to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Laboratory and about $8 million for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, which was originally wasn't slated to receive any funding. "A very substantial part of that [stimulus] money comes to state and local government," Rosapepe said."This doesn't solve the problems but it makes things a lot easier."

Residents want things a lot easier on Beltsville roads as they complained about congestion and deteriorating streets. Rosapepe and Pena-Melnyk acknowledged that difficult financial times have forced the state to shelve many road projects still in planning stages.

"It's one of those issues that's pushed back because of the economy," Rosapepe said.

On the topic of personal spending, Pena-Melnyk said recent legislation will help residents by curbing health insurance costs, requiring extended notice before foreclosure and prohibiting gas and electric shut-offs in extreme hot or cold weather.

"A lot of our seniors are unable to pay their bills," she said. "This is affecting everyone from all walks of life."

Another major issue was crime, particularly identity theft and mail fraud. Representatives from Prince George's County Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service discussed the topic, providing fraud prevention tips and crime reporting instructions.

"This really is happening in our community," said BCA President Karen Coakley. "Unfortunately, when the economy is not good people think of more ways to make a quick buck."

Barnes said legislators have passed a bill calling for harsher sentences for those who prey on the elderly, an especially vulnerable demographic for cyber and mail fraud schemes.

"It was very useful information," said resident Ken Healy. "I want to see what's going on at the state level and the county level with respect to legislation."

E-mail David Hill at dhill@gazette.net.