Show by Dawn Carder When talking with George Van and learning about his business ventures and successes one gets the feeling that he could at he knows how to “make it” anywhere He happens to have a lot going on in his Main Street store and in all probability he would have as much or more going on in a store along a busy street in New York City Maybe one inherits business sense andor know how and then hones his There skills and natural tendencies does seem to be a thread going from generation to generation in the Van family There was Billy Van followed by his son George and George now has businessmen all surhis son Mike-vivors all entrepreneurs Billy Van owned and operated the Mutt and Jeff garage in Delta According to George the establishment was a favorite spot for children for his rattle bears father had monkeys snakes coyotes and other live animals for observation and entertainment Acit was quite a menagerie tually especially for a small rural town A native of Delta George went to the local schools and graduated from he Delta High Following graduation went to Salt Lake City to seek employment which was no easy task Jobs his find However were hard to persistence was rewarded when he secured a position as a trouble shooter electrician for diesel trucks During the time that followed George was promoted to top electrician he acquired a girlfriend named came along and Vada World War the young man joined the Navy For three years George served the United States Navy With understandable pride he shared that he had been involved in seven invasions where he saw lots of action “but I never saw anyone dead” When he wasn’t in the middle of combat George worked on tools needed by the Navy There and then he actually got his start as a watch repairman for the other service men Getting watches was difficult and broken ones George determined required repair that electrical work was dirty work that he preferred repairing watches that he would go to school when he got out of the military to learn the watch trade and become a professional repairman The war ended and George returned to Utah He married Vada and for awhile he again worked as a trouble Then he and his shooter electrician new bride were off to Kansas City Missouri where he entered the Kansas City Watchmaking School From the early days of their marriage right up to the present time Vada has been a 'source 6f all types of support to her husband' emotionally as well as While George attended financially school for two years she worked for the government to help with expenses The ensuing years have found her in various capacities including bookkeeper housekeeper wife and mother When his schooling was completed George thought that he would like to open a business in northern Utah At the time however there was an abundance of watchmakers making cominpetition keen and slicing the job pie to very small sections What to do? one and onDelta’s About that time ly jeweler died So the newly educated came “home” to watchrepairman survey the scene was going out of A bookstore business leaving an ideal setting for a jewelry store There was one hitch The buyer had to take over the books George decided to "go for it” selling books and jewelry and doing repair work (The shop he rented from Mr Killpack the barber was where the quor store is presently) George Van sold only Eventually jewelry and established himself as a Watches respected watch repairman were more expensive several years ago people kept them and repairs were made For a long time George remained in the little shop always busy Another opportunity presented itself George had the chance to buy the old Gem Cafe Rather he was able to rent until he was ready for purchase In he moved staying for a couple of years before beginning renovations and — additions The building as it is today is a credit to George Vada and their two and Bill The main part of the store is approximately 2600 square feet and the Van home above is the same size The rear of the store extends another 30 feet After working all day on watches and jewelry George spent hours laying brick Life was good and business went well for awhile Then son Mike decided he wanted to get into selling eight track in tapes Father and son launched off a new direction becoming wholesalers of the tapes They continued this line until their merchandise became obsolete Wisely they knew when to get out and look at other prospects Good naturedly George Van says that Mike “has kept me going He doesn’t think I have enough to do” Apparently they spur each other to greater business heights While putting in a roller rink in Cedar City Mike put in a video— a good idea Today the Vans own 300 videos all over Utah and in Nevada By Mike’s admission the money generated by the videos keeps the other businesses solvent As if there wasn’t enough to keep the Vans busy when IPP moved into Delta the scene was surveyed and they decided to build a roller rink right here George Bill and Mike got busy plans were made and executed and the most expensive supplies were used Bill laid all the concrete flooring on top of which the Vans had a wood floor placed Opting for wood cost them an additional $75000 but they wanted the best Today they continue to hear that this roller rink is one of if not the best in the state In the midst of all this activity George and Mike felt that Delta needed a place for video games A spot on Main Street empty and completely run down was rented cleaned up and store became Triple and video heaven for the kids It was a boom business- -a real money maker headache But it eventually became a for the Vans had so many other “irons in the fire” It was time to get out so close and liquidate they did In the midst of all the many business avenues George Van pursued there six was yet another Approximately years ago Mike suggested to his father that they buy bankruptcy stock for resale The local building could be used for storage It seemed like a smart move so father and son got busy “I hate to see people bankrupt” says George “but I can see why some go out of business They overstock their stores” Bidding on and buying bankrupt merchandise takes understanding and knowledge of inventory and prices Auctioneers send out information on upcoming sales resulting in forbidty to fifty people gathering and ding According to the Vans they have Krista Pickens Private Eye to be able to make money by selling the stock at half price or it isn’t worth their effort They have traveled to Vernal and Price Salt Lake City Ogden Provo Today the business on Main Street in Delta has changed from all jewelry to everything “in order to survive” George has seen about local businesses change hands in the years he has been here He understands that it is necessary to go along with the times if he is to remain successful Store hours are generally from 10:30 am until 6 pm Monday through Friday and until pm on Saturday The reason hours fluctuate and the store is sometimes closed is that George and Mike have to be out of town frequently bidding on buying or selling bankrupt merchandise and There is one more George bought skating equipment from two bankrupt skating rinks Now they are involved putting in a rink in will be which when completed open one week day plus Friday and Saturday from 4 to 12 pm The two men will split shifts there It is difficult to imagine that either George or Mike have any free time for George personal interests However has a garden in back of his place and he is proud of it (He says that talking to his plants helps them grow and produce) He also likes to prospect and Mike says that his dad enjoys auctions skating and playing 21 in Las Vegas when and if he has time As for Mike he says that he very much enjoys his work and meeting new people His other sources of pleasure are participating in demolition derbys and going to Lake Powell Vada Van misses the Although mountains and fruit of northern Utah she and he family appreciate Delta and the people George says “You couldn’t find a better bunch of people anywhere” The many businesses keep George and Mike busy and force Vada to put up with lots of long hours Yet it seems to be the accepted way of life for the energetic crew “It keeps me young to keep going” said George Van After forty years he appears to have found the secret to success by Dawn Carder Many professional people are involved in the pursuit of justice Over the past two years countless hours were spent by members of the Millard Counlawyers ty Sheriff’s Department criminal experts and investigators collecting evidence recreating the crime witnesses taking fingerinterviewing prints making arrests in an attempt to solve the mutilation murder of Fillmore resident Sharon Sant One such person was Krista Pickens of Salt Lake City private investigator for the defense What is a private investigator? What is involved in hisher life? One person said recently “I never thought they were real people It always seemed to me they just existed on television” Krista Pickens is definitely a real committed to her work person-oand to the pursuit of justice The youngest of three children Krista knew she wanted to be a “cop” when she was a very small child This was not considered a common desire for a jjirl so her mother took her to a psychologist The good doctor attempted to dissuade the child to no avail The little girl grew up worked at various jobs and traveled somewhat tensively Her childhood dream of a career remained with her While dating a policeman in Salt Lake City she got her first chance She was hired as a decoy working as an undercover agent in massage parlors Krista Pickens was years of age The following year the Salt Lake City Police Department did mass hiring Krista formally applied and was accepted For six weeks she and the other recruits attended the State Police Academy and then trained with the Salt Lake City Police Although not the first policewoman Krista was the first to pass the men’s agility test “Being a cop changed my whole life” says Krista today “I love the Salt Lake City Police Department” She credits the building of self confidence and emotional maturity to the disciplined training Every cop man or woman has to learn to be called names and Krista learned negotiation skills as a woman Along with learning on the job all members of the force received a minimum of forty hours of formal “I was a terrible training yearly employee for I was constantly irritating some sergeant” she admitted Yet her of the Salt Lake love and loyalty to force remain While working as a policewoman Krista met attorney Loni deLand as she one of his clients was arresting Something clicked the two began seeing each other and two months later they were married For awhile after her marriage Krista remained on the police force However with a young daughter of her own a new baby bom to Loni and her plus ' her husband’s children and his long hours she found that shift work was not conducive to her home life “It was time” she acknowledges now “to leave the police department” The decision was right yet she still misses the comradery she felt with her compatriots As much as she loves her children Krista Pickens has and her husband found that staying at home full time is “not her bag” Two months after she left the Salt Lake City Police she began to work out of her home as a private Salt Lake City attorney investigator Ron Yengich was the first to hire her Her new career was launched From 1982 until November of 1986 Krista continued to work out of her home In November she decided to seriously involve herself as a private vestigator so she got an office and set up shop Shortly thereafter she was troduced to Jan another professional whom she asked to join the staff At the present time Krista Pickens and has two full time Associates vestigators and one part time all of whom are former law enforcement officers and Michelle a top notched office manager Keeping this quality is what Krista intends to do Krista and her associates do criminal defense investigation which is not the same as police investigating Usually their findings verify what the police have found out and as one might collecfor assume they are responsible ting information According to Krista 999 percent of the time she works through an attorney for the client In this way both client and Krista are protected “I prefer working through an objective party” she stated Krista is free to choose what vestigations she wants to handle Her fee is $40 per hour except for federal cases (The government sets its own rate) With the attorney she reviews goals then she is on her own to talk with witnesses and the defendent checking on any and everything pertinent to the case By her own admission Krista has search for truth In this one pursuit she feels bound by confidentiality to her client but to no one else and she will not attempt to slant the case All reports gathered are however submitted to the lawyer by whom she is hired Krista small in size Although Pickens does not carry a gun for she doesn’t want that responsibility “I’m I need a not afraid and I don’t think gun” (Her husband does not agree) Sometimes clients and cases are difficult but Krista is not a threatening person She is interested in the bad and Sept The Delta Driver’s will be closed Monday Day) They will also close at on Friday Sept 11 License Office Sept 7 (Labor 12 There have been many reports of cattheft or livestock throughout Millard County As a result of investigating one complaint Bruce White of Meadow was arrested and charged with theft of lifestock on tle rustling He was Wednesday August 26 1987 booked in the Millard County jail and after same the day later released posting $3000 bail According to Sheriff Ed Phillips theft of lifestock is a third degree felony Hearing Aid Users Needs of Area For 15 Years Held at KILLPACK MOTEL 10 am to 3 pm Tues Sept 8 Home visits welcome Have you ever had a question about your telephone service but didn’t know quite who to call? It really wasn’t a repair question or one on your monthly bill or even on the new services Contel offers Because your question didn’t fit into a specific category you may not have asked us Now we’ve made BATES HEARING AID SERVICE RIVERTON UTAH Romantic and Modem KUSU-F- M ad made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting t easier toll For CONCERT HALL WEEKDAYS FROM 1:00 to 3:00 pm it Care Line A special number Introducing that you can call to get your questions answered When you call Care Line you’ll speak to a communication specialist who not only can answer listen your question but cares enough to free AFTERNOON Because we care repair about our customers call For new service call 895 - Page 3 which could result in a fine not to ceed $10000 or years in prison at White had his first arraignment which time he was advised of his legal rights Other arraignments will be held in the future you have a special concern call Contel HEARING AID SERVICE CENTER Repairs - Service - Batteries Adjustments - All Makes FREE Hearing Evaluations Serving 1987 Cattle rustling in Meadow noon Latest Model Hearing Aids At Reasonable Prices 3 the good attempting to make all people questioned feel at ease and comfortable in her presence “I like for people to know that I’m human” This compassion for others is quickly observed and felt when one meets Krista During recesses at the recent trial she extended herself to the defendent to his family to the Sant family There and to others in the courtroom is a time however when the line is drawn That comes when she is with her family on her turf Then Krista is territorial wanting no one to enter Despite long hours and investigative trips that require Krista to be away from home Loni deLand encourages his wife’s career and encourages her dependence “He is not the least bit timidated” Krista says “In fact he forced me to become more mature He’s great and I adore him” With obvious energy the petite attractive investigator goes to work Her professional curiosity stimulates her to read anything and everything she can get her hands on regarding the law and she learns from her countless conversations with and questions of her husband She also gleans from her twelve years of experience in and around the courts and eight years with the police department Krista’s investigative work has taken her to New Mexico Arizona CaliforUtah The last nia and throughout weeks of the Sharon Sant trial required eighteen hours a day of work which is a typical assignment Gathering accurate information is her main concern “I never think about winning” she shared “until we get into court Then I’m human and I too want (our side) to win” What are Krista’s personal interests if time allows? She used to teach horseback riding English she likes to ski to camp and to hunt with her camera Other sources of pleasure are one the family’s fourteen chickens rooster and her garden But right now Krista finds that she is rather narrowminded limiting herself to her family and to the development of her new business Krista has found her independent percompliments sonality She continues to acknowledge the importance of the Salt Lake City Police Department in her growth and development both personally and professionally Making it in a man’s world with men and being accepted by the men have been personally rewarding experiences Has life always been easy for Krista? No A believer in life’s lessons she admits that she has had some devastating that in failures which caused she doesn’t want to feel again Her mother a very strong woman taught Krista to avoid whining and to pull herself up when necessary The lessons Krista have been heeded Today ambitious Pickens is a and successful woman who confesses successful” love “I being What does being successful mean to Krista Pickens private investigator? It means striving for one goal—ensuring that “the system” is not able to bury an innocent person That is an admirable goal Driver’s License Office to close Go for Baroque! and Renaissance and Classical and This Pickens Krista Thun USPS Millard County Business of the Week Vans know how to succeed in business L Telephone Operations |