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Gov. Martin O'Malley addressed questions ranging from budget cuts to the gypsy moth infestation during a community forum Friday night at Laurel's Granville Gude Park.

The community forum event was hosted by the 21st District delegation of state Sen. James C. Rosapepe of College Park and Dels. Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Ben Barnes, both of College Park, and Barbara Frush of Beltsville.

Pena-Melnyk said the event, attended by about 200 people, was held so "the people from the community could express their concerns and for [O'Malley] to listen to our community, which is a very diverse and vibrant community."

Former Gov. Parris Glendening, Laurel Mayor Craig Moe and College Park Mayor Stephen Brayman also attended.

"These are tough times, but it's always been Maryland's role to be the state that other states rally around in times of trouble," O'Malley said.

He did not speculate on how budget cuts would affect Prince George's County but did say he supports the boost that transportation would be getting from funds given through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, citing the future Purple Line on the Metro and the InterCounty Connector highway project.

One woman suggested that the liquor tax be raised to generate revenue, but O'Malley said he lacked support in the legislature and "the juice was not worth the squeeze."

Laurel resident Debbie Roy asked O'Malley to halt the state's use of pesticides to control the gypsy moth infestation, which she said could be linked to asthma rates and other illnesses in the state. O'Malley said he already reviewed the information but would have his staff read the documents she had brought.

Marilyn Stadler, a Mount Rainier resident representing the Bladensburg Ladies Auxiliary Fire Department, said she came to hear the governor out of curiosity.

"We just have to go along with [budget cuts]," she said. "The way this economy's going, it can't get any worse."

Sam Epps, a member of the 21st District Democratic Central Committee, said that O'Malley has "shown optimism," but that the governor has had to make some hard decisions.

"He's required by law to balance the budget," Epps said. "He took leadership and made cuts, and he has a responsibility to get us out of [economic distress]."

County Council Vice-chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist.1) of Laurel said although the council is concerned about state budget cuts, the state has "been trying to take it easy" on the counties. He said he does not know how Laurel will be impacted yet, but he knows Prince George's County will feel the cuts in the coming months.

"We just got done with our budget, and it's a tough year," he said. "We're not looking forward to midyear adjustments."