Algonquin GM Speaks Out On Hiring

The newly named General Manager of the Algonquin Hotel in St. Andrews is speaking out on local jobs.

Tim Ostrem tells Tide News his goal is to hire locally as much as possible for staff at the historic resort.The GM says he will definately bring back some of the old staff from before the hotel began it's renovation.
He says, "We're building a team, we've got a new brand, and we are looking to support the community as much as possible and in doing that, that will certainly mean bringing back many of the old faces our guests have come to know and love."

Ostrem says over the next couple of months they will be at job fairs and starting recruitment opportunities.  



He says they have not started the recruitment process for the front lines yet, but keep our eyes on the job sites. He says, "We've begun posting some of our key roles. Right now we've just recently posted for an Executive Chef, a Director of Rooms, and a Food and Beverage Manager. As we complete that process, we will be beginning to recruit for other positions."
He says they will begin hiring in late March and April.

Ostrem, originally from Alberta, has been linked to big names like Fairmont, Delta, and The Cambridge Suites in Toronto. He was named the new GM of the resort last week.
He tells Tide News being a part of the re-birth of the Algonquin is one of the many attractions of St. Andrews for him. "Most importantly, it's the community and the people. It's [St. Andrews] a charming seaside town, with some wonderful people, and the opportunity to really be a part of something that I think will be very, very special is a great attraction."

Currently, the tudor-design hotel is undergoing a major $20 million renovation, which will include new roofing, windows, heating and air conditioning, a new indoor pool with an indoor/outdoor 3-storey waterslide, balconies along the second floor, and a make-over that will match the newer and older sections of the hotel with the original design.
Ostrem says he is most excited about building his team and the grand re-opening of the Algonquin in June of this year.

January is Alzheimers Awareness Month

2500 a year -- 7 per day.
That's how many people in New Brunswick will be diagnosed with dementia.

The Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick launching the 2013 Awareness Campaign this week titled, "See Me, Not My Disease. Let's Talk About Dementia."

Saint John Regional Coordinator Jamie Matthews tells Tide News what their goal is this year. He says, "We want to address the mis-information that's out there about Alzheimers and Dementia and to shift those attitudes to make it easier and for people who are diagnosed to talk about it openly and honestly."

He says, "It's something that we still need to learn a lot about, despite the reach of this disease and how many are affected, especially in New Brunswick."

Matthews tells us there are 13,000 people in New Brunswick diagnosed with Dementia. This year alone, 2500 will be diagnosed in the province, which works out to 7 people per day.
Matthews says one of the big things you can do to help someone with demetia is by talking with them about the disease. He says this will keep them from feeling shame or isolation which is very common for those diagnosed.

Matthews says they will be having information sessions coming up in March titled "Alzheimer Journey: First Steps."

If you would like to contact the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, you can call them at 1-800-664-8411, or the Saint John branch at 1-506-634-8722. You can also check out their website at www.alzheimernb.ca , or they have a Facebook Page "Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick".