Year in Review: August

As 2011 comes to a close, Brookfield Patch is looking back at the year's biggest local stories and conversation starters, month by month. Here’s a recap from August:

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German hydraulics company Thomas Magnete GmbH announced plans to open its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Brookfield. Gov. Scott Walker and M7 officials said Thomas Magnete USA LLC plans to add 27 new jobs by 2015 and invest $3 million after relocating to a 30,000-square-foot leased space. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. will provide $79,000 in tax credits to assist the project. 

A ban on firearms in municipal buildings was backed by a city committee, although one alderman questioned whether it was a feel-good law that would do little to make the buildings safe.

The 2011 graduates at Brookfield East and Central high schools scored record-high composite ACT scores for the Elmbrook School District, leaders announced. East seniors scored an average 25.3; Central seniors earned an average 25.0. East's score was the best among all Waukesha County high school and the fourth-best in the state. The 2011 statewide average score was 22.2. The fact that Elmbrook has among the highest levels of test participation makes the high score even more impressive.

With snow bound to be around the corner, do you wish for beach weather? Reminisce by perusing Patch's photos from the last day at Wirth Aquatic Center and Fox Brook Park.

Ask people about Kris Schmidt and some of the same phrases emerge. A leader. Feisty. Good sense of humor. A realist. A wealth of historic knowledge. As she retired from her longtime city clerk post, many residents didn't know she had a past life as an elected official. She was the first woman to run for mayor, nearly pulling off a stunning defeat of a longtime mayor, forcing a recount over a 50.5 percent finish.

Thirteen area students competed at the Distinguished Young Women’s 54th Annual State Competition, held at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Abby Rufer of Brookfield received $750 for being the second runner-up and was also awarded Mary Crist Memorial Scholastics and Fitness awards. Sarah Creegan of Elm Grove was awarded the Linda Bichler Memorial Spirit Award.

Better views of the free Starry Nights concerts and increased ticketed outdoor events are key goals of an ambitious plan to upgrade the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts' outdoor venue. About 600 new temporary seats would be added to a regraded performance area by summer 2012, along with other plans.

Superintendent Matt Gibson announced he would retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year, after 17 years of service as Elmbrook’s superintendent and 40 years in education.

Elmbrook could close two of its six elementary schools, save about $2.6 million per year and still have enough building space to educate its projected 10-year resident enrollment plus some open enrollment students, a new report says. But many questioned whether that was realistic, given the complexities of scheduling classes and fluctuating enrollments. The School Board, meanwhile, .