News briefs for March 17, 2004

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

Two killers fail to win parole

Two convicted killers, both from Las Vegas and both named Turner, have been denied release by the state Parole Commission.

Commission spokesman David Smith said today Ray "Little Ray" Turner and Roderick Turner, who are not related, were turned down for freedom because of the nature and severity of their crimes.

Ray Turner will have to wait until 2007 before he can reapply. Roderick Turner will not eligible again until 2006.

The state Pardons Board in January reduced the sentences of both men to allow them to be immediately eligible for parole. Ray Turner has served more than 21 years for the fatal shooting of Herbert Schweitzer, owner of a restaurant in Las Vegas in 1982.

Ray told the Pardons Board he was a cold-blooded killer when at the age of 19 he killed Schweitzer. He asked forgiveness from the victims. Roderick Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a shooting involving gangs in Las Vegas and has served more than 10 years. He had been sentenced to consecutive life terms but he is suffering from terminal lupus.

Lewis named to replace Van Epp

Clark County's newly appointed Growth Task Force has a new member, even before its first meeting.

County commissioners appointed Robert Lewis, president of Lewis Operating Corp., to replace Dan Van Epp as one of three members of the task force representing Southern Nevada developers.

Van Epp, president of the Howard Hughes Corp., declined his appointment because of his upcoming resignation.

The task force is scheduled to meet from noon to 3 p.m. on March 30 in the Winchester Community Center Theater, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.

All task force meetings will be videotaped for rebroadcast on Clark County Television cable Channel 4. The first meeting will be played at 7 p.m. April 5, 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on April 8 and noon on April 9.

County strategic plan described

Clark County now has a Strategic Plan for 2004 and 2005 that outlines the county's goals for maintaining high-quality services while dealing with growth.

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly outlined the plan Tuesday at a Clark County Commission meeting. It sets a community vision, mission statement, and guiding values and principles.

It also sets "strategic priorities" to improve, including: air quality, McCarran International Airport, child welfare, growth, health care, justice, public safety, transportation and water conservation.

The strategic plan is available at accessclarkcounty.com.