NAMES IN THE NEWS : Howards Tell Towering Concern

Director Ron Howard and his wife, Cheryl, are asking lots of questions about the microwave tower that officials want to build near their home in Greenwich, Conn., to improve emergency communications. Howard, a television actor before going on to directing hits like “Parenthood” and “Cocoon,” is not opposed to the tower but wants to be sure it’s safe and not too obtrusive, said their lawyer, Stephen Sugrue. “The Howards fully understand that the need to improve radio communications for the police and fire department is a priority,” Sugrue said. “They do not have a ‘not-in-my-backyard’ attitude. They just want to ensure that as minimum a tower as possible is put up. Presuming the safety issues can be put aside, their concern is the aesthetics because this would be a pretty large tower.” The proposed site of the tower is 260 feet from the Howards’ property.