SNET Internet : Features : Survey : Best of CT

"Mixed" is the best word we can find to describe the results of this week's survey regarding the relative merits of some aspects of Connecticut's quality of life. Respondents gave highest marks to education and shopping.

Predictably, perhaps, public transportation scored lowest.

To which of the following do you give the highest marks?

Connecticut roads - 215 (8%)
Connecticut education - 761 (28%)
Connecticut public transport - 61 (2%)
Connecticut entertainment - 289 (11%)
Connecticut recreation - 402 (15%)
Connecticut shopping - 668 (24%)
Connecticut work environment - 340 (12%)

Your comments:

"Your survey depends on the demographics of the website people belong to. I happen to live in a CT town which has the best education and library system in the state, so is it my town or the state? Only those things that are run by the state should be in your survey." J.L., West Hartford

"How sad that our public feels that shopping is better than education in CT. No wonder our students are slipping in the national average. Maybe they need a little more support from the public sector." C.S., Branford

"'To which of the following do you give the highest marks?'

You left out a few categories, let me suggest some: High taxes, High gasoline prices, Terrible driving/people driving way too fast, Rude people, Slick politicians who don't give a damn. Need I go on?" Diane, East Killingly

"There are 'only' three things that Connecticut is known for...ASTRONOMICAL COST OF LIVING, POTHOLES, AND BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN DAYS!" Z.I.N., Middletown

"How about none of the above? The shopping in CT is OK but the remaining items are not top notch. How can they say our education is so great? Our city schools are terrible and the cost of education is outrageous. The only good schools are in the areas where most parents are well educated." A.J., Bristol

"In response to ranking various services and features in CT I have to honestly say I can not rank anything high. I have lived outside CT and know first hand better shopping, mass transit, highways, education ... need I go on. I will be moving from this state just as soon as I can and the non progressive nature of the local people will continue to prosper and deny progress to the majority." J.P., Bethany

"We got the best roads because they've been working on them forever. I moved to Connecticut in 1968 after getting out of the Army. If I had known they would still be working on Interstate 84 in June of 2001, I would have gotten a job with that crew. I would have my 30 years in now and could be picking weeds or something I liked! They were working on 84 in 1968 and they ain't finished yet!" Bubba, Baltic

"My husband and I chose to take in a grandchild for three years. While our small town educated this child very well and I became a soccer 'Mom' again, I learned that some of our cities don't do so well when it comes to education. I wish that we could find a way to give these kids the same wonderful education that we receive in small towns. Not only do they deserve it, in the long run it will be cost effective. The statement that parents must become more involved is very true but we must also realize that many of our children, for whatever reason, have parents that will or can't become involved so someone must speak for these students. I came from another small town in CT. I am 60+ years old. My Mom was really involved in PTA all my school years. She never or rarely saw some parents at these meeting so it isn't just a city problem." J.C.S., Goshen

"I love shopping so I think Connecticut has the best shopping." S.M., Chaplin

Previous survey results are available.