GLOCESTER – Summer workers for the Glocester Recreation Department hit the lottery.
At a recent Town Council meeting, Recreation Director Robert Shields unveiled a new way of choosing hires from the list of applicants who put their names in for parking lot attendants for local beaches and events. Instead of pulling the names out of a hat, as has been done in the past, Shields uploaded a computer generated wheel with names of applicants and simply gave it a spin.
“This year we are going to spin a wheel, kind of like Wheel of Fortune,” he explained. “Names are going to pop up.”
“This is happening right now?” asked Town Council President William Worthy.
“It is,” responded Shields.
Shields explained that they would create a list in order by spinning the wheel and jobs would be offered accordingly. Those individuals would be offered preferential treatment in regard to hours. If someone is offered a job and turns it down, the next candidate on the list will be offered the position. All but two applicants were from Glocester. The remaining two, hailing from Burrillville and Foster, would go to the bottom of the list in the order they were chosen. Parking lot attendants are paid $14 per hour.
The first name chosen was Ryan Shields, who Director Shields explained was of no relation. The remaining potential hires in order were Chase Braxton, Jenna Lowell, Christian Wagner, Jaycob DeRoche, Emilie Violette, Kyla Desormier, Julianna Rozzero, Duncan Maclean, Jackson Bernie, Nayomi Miller, Bryan Berryman of Foster and Mario Girard of Burrillville.
Being chosen last does not necessarily mean you are out of the running for a summer position, however.
“I try to keep everyone, as many as possible,” Shields later told NRI NOW.
Shields stated that parking lot attendants were planned for Marion Irons Beach on Snake Hill Road to make sure people are aware when the beach was closed due to blue green algae. Swim lessons were held at Spring Grove until Marion Irons was deemed safe for swimming, which happened last week. Blue Green Algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and pets. Exposure to these toxins through swimming, ingestion, or inhalation can cause skin rashes, stomach or liver illness, neurological effects, and other health issues.
The lifeguards being proposed for hire are contingent upon their passing the Department of Environmental Management’s non surf or surf certification. Lifeguards set for hire at $19 per hour include: Briella Bailey; Isabelle Bottone; Sarah Brown; Owen Machan; Jack Rockwell and Richard Scott. Lifeguards hired at $20 per hour include Cordelia Siedzik, Mason Caramante and James Cavanagh.
Arts and crafts instructors include Lucy Rockwell, Isabelle Shields and Riley Shields at $14 per hour.
Parks and grounds workers include Myles Choquette, Mario Girard, Matthew Jones, Natalia Laurie, Jack Rockwell, and Owen St. Cyr at $14 per hour. Riley McCormick was hired as program supervisor at $20 per hour.
Tennis aides include Christian Campanella, Gizelle Charron, Liam Elderkin, Mason Parrillo, and Christian Wagner at $14 per hour. Elijah Gouin was hired as tennis instructor at $24 per hour.
Water safety aides include Keira Barbosa, Zoe Glover, Jayde Hatzberger, Marin Iamarone, Eli Machan, Lauren Seabury, Raegan Siedzik, Cyrus Sullivan, and Andrew Tammaro at $14 per hour.
