BROOKFIELD — State Rep. David Scribner will offer a presentation Monday afternoon at the Brookfield Senior Center where he’ll talk about the state’s budget, with an emphasis on issues affecting seniors. The presentation begins at 1 p.m. inside the newly-remodeled center located at 100 Pocono Road. Scribner, who represents Brookfield and Bethel, will use a slideshow as he discusses issues tied to the state budget. He’ll offer handouts on the subject, too. While there will be an emphasis on information for seniors at the Nov. 1 session, people of all ages are invited to attend. For information, call Scribner’s office at 800-842-1423.

BROOKFIELD — State Rep. David Scribner visited the Brookfield Senior Center recently to celebrate building renovations at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that attracted a few dozen seniors and a host of local officials and folks involved in the project. Check out this report of the event published by the Brookfield Patch:

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks Opening of New Senior Center

First Selectman Bill Davidson opened the Brookfield Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Friday morning under a clear blue sky by thanking the many who were involved in the process.

Davidson recognized former First Selectman Jerry Murphy, who got the project started, State Rep. David Scribner, town employees Dennis DiPinto and Senior Center Executive Director Ellen Melville. Davidson also thanked Paul Checco, chairman of the Municipal Building Committee (MBC), and Checco’s entire committee, and lastly all of the seniors who put so much time and support into the project.

He closed by thanking “an incredible contractor,” Curt Verdi and crew of Verdi Construction.

The project was completed thanks to a state and federal grant. “This is a very proud moment for our town,” said State Rep. David Scribner.

Scriber got a laugh when he said, “While we were waiting for this to come to reality, I became a member of the AARP,” holding up his card for all to see. “Despite the way we met some obstacles along the way we never lost sight,” Scribner said.

The delays Scribner mentioned were due to two major factors. Verdi Construction lost their project manager during the process and a mistake was made by the glazer on the glass for the front of the building.

“I am really happy for the seniors in our community,” Checco said. “I am happy for other seniors who may have been reluctant to come out and participate so I hope this brings a lot of other seniors out.”

Lorraine DiPaolo, President of Friends of the Brookfield Senior Center, said, “I truly believe that I am looking out at the backbone of Brookfield. How blessed we are to have such talented leaders.”

She thanked Ellen Melville, “whose tireless energy and determination” helped get the project completed.

Melville said she is “so excited about the new center. It has been a long time coming.”

The seniors are on “stand-by,” Melville said, until they are officially moved in, probably by November 1.

The new building has a large open area with a partition that can be used to separate into other smaller areas. There are a number of rooms for crafts, classes and various activities. The huge open space is light, bright and spacious.

Two VFW members of Post #10201 were both very excited for the reopening of the Senior Center. Commander Frank Johnson and Quartermaster Fred Busch, along with other members of their post, have been meeting temporarily at the library.

“This is home,” Johnson said, “so I am excited to come back home.”

“We’re anxious to come back,” Busch said.

DiPaolo has been involved with the senior center for four years and has seen tremendous growth during that time. “I’m euphoric” that the project is finally complete, she said.

Davidson said he is “delighted that the seniors can move back into their own building. This shows that we do big projects. We just completed our water line, we are getting our assessment completed, we just paved about 20 miles of roads this year, so Brookfield’s on the move.”

HARTFORD — Rep. David Scribner today applauded the announcement of federal funding to upgrade Connecticut’s aging rail system, a move the state legislator contends will help rev up economic development in the state while relieving pressure from its roads.

The state’s congressional delegation held a news conference in Meriden to announce a $120 million investment in the New Haven to Springfield rail corridor—a high speed rail line that will span roughly 60 miles. The money will complement $260 million set aside by the state’s Bond Commission.

“There will be stops along the rail line, giving this project local impact that our cities and towns need as our state moves through the economic recovery,” said Scribner, a Brookfield resident and ranking member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee. “This will help revitalize our transportation grid.”

State and federal officials say the goal is to link the residents with central Connecticut with better access to New York City and other destinations in New England.

Scribner in April met with federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the congressional delegation to discuss funding for the project.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the statehouse as well as our congressional delegation in moving forward on this project, which has enjoyed bipartisan support,” Scribner said.