monitor
ohlone college
ohlonemonitor.com
Vol. XLV No. 4
Fremont, California
#ocmonitor
March 14, 2013
Trustee Garrett Yee returns home from Afghanistan
Performers bring the beat up ‘Comm Students Got Talent’ is full of music and smiles Top right: Kristen Dattolico sings her version of Doris Day’s “Dream a Little Dream of Me” accompanied by her boyfriend playing the guitar for “Comm Students Got Talent.” Top left: Jason Tang sings his own song “Good Bye California” on Friday March 8. Bottom right: David Varg and Kenin Jones sing their rendition of “Heart Break.”
COURTESY OF/ GARRETT YEE
Garrett Yee gets a photo with children at a bazaar in Kabul. By ASHLEY LAM Editor-in-chief
Ohlone Board of Trustee member Garrett Yee recently returned home from is deployment to Afghanistan. Yee has been associated with the military for more than 25 years, he said. While he was deployed, he served as TARA INGRAHAM/ MONITOR the deputy commander of the 335th Command where he was responsible for providing communications infrastructure to the United States military refrigerator was being used to throughout Afghanistan, he hold food items, which is a vio- said. lation of county regulations. During his deployment, Yee “All employee uniforms served as a senior leader to shall be washed and dried the troops. mechanically,” wrote Inspec“I provided guidance, director Toh Lan See. tion and oversight to over 300 The facility had 25 points military and civilian personnel deducted from the possible to- and indirectly to another 1,400 tal of 100. Just under a third of personnel,” said Yee. the total points deducted were Coming back home as an as a result from two new gar- Ohlone trustee has changed bage disposals being installed Yee’s perspective, he said. the day the inspector showed He is more thankful and he Continued on Page 3 has a newfound appreciation essentially for what Ohlone does as an institution. “As a trustee, my perspective is always evolving based on my experiences. This deployment has definitely informed my perspective. This experience has helped me to be thankful for all that we have,” said Yee. “We are so fortunate to have such a great community college system in California and to have Ohlone ranked so high amongst community colleges is absolutely wonderful. We have so much to be thankful for and we have a responsibility to be good stewards of our college.” Yee said he recalls his last deployment in 2006 mostly as non-stop work that was hugely difficult for him. See page 4 “My last deployment in
Rodent droppings found in cafe By LOUIS LAVENTURE News editor
The results from the Feb. 22 Alameda County Environmental Health inspection at the Fresh & Natural Café on the Fremont campus listed mouse droppings under the soda machine, washing equipment at a food prep sink and improper temperature controls for food reheating. The most egregious offense on inspector’s report was,
“Observed mouse droppings under soda dispenser at service station.” The inspector requested the facility remove the droppings and disinfect the area. She also suggested the facility “continue working with professional pest control with aggressive treatment to eradicate rat/mouse, comply immediately.” The report also noted that a uniform was being soaked in a bucket and that a beverage
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2006 to Iraq was a growth experience. To operate in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment as a leader requires extraordinary focus, especially with the responsibility that we had to keep the network up and running for the war fighters. We worked seven days a week, which was the norm. This deployment was probably the hardest thing I’ve experienced in my life. Twelve months as a senior leader in an austere environment can be a long time,” said Yee. When Yee looks back at his service, one of the greatest things he took away from his experience was keeping his life both balanced and positive. “During this time, I have learned the importance of balance and to always keep your family first. I have learned to lead and but also to be a good follower. I have learned the value of friendships and relationships. I have learned to remain positive because positive thoughts produce more positive thoughts while negative thoughts produce more negative thoughts. I have learned that I prefer to remain positive,” said Yee. Yee advised students: “Always remain open minded to other cultures and people. Always. Afghanistan is a beautiful country that has some very breathtaking views. The local people that I met were warm and friendly,” said Yee. “I would like to thank all those in uniform today and thank those that have served before us. With less than 1 percent of the population serving in uniform today, service to our nation in the armed forces is rare and is a high calling that few answer,” said Yee.