Cast your CuriousCT vote and we'll do the rest

Karen Florin, The Day, New London, Conn.
·2 min read

Jun. 3—Congratulations, readers on the varied and interesting set of questions you submitted for The Day's relaunch of CuriousCT.

You wondered about everything from truck tolls to a 50-year-old New London mystery and a place out of history we'd never heard of, called "Fort Nonsense."

We wish we could take on every story you recommended, but after putting more than 40 reader-submitted questions to a staff vote, we've narrowed your choice to three topics.

Now it's your turn to vote. Once we get a winner, we'll assign and produce a story, video or podcast within the next month.

Use the embedded poll below to select one of these three questions:

—Why is there clear-cutting of trees along CT roads and highways? The once tree-lined and canopied Connecticut roads and highways are mostly barren of trees these days, and it's noticeably getting worse. If logic was to protect electric infrastructure, I might understand, but it goes way beyond that thought. Roadways, and long stretches of highway without any power lines have been clear cut well beyond the roadsides. The absence of large trees exposes hills and cliff-sides to increased erosion, and the now sun exposed clear cut areas will be barren for years as all shade vegetation has been wiped out. And the bits of vegetation that is able to survive will have to make its way through chipped debris and abandoned logs left behind from the State of CT's handy work. Can you investigate and find out the why, where, and when it will all stop?

—Was the Thames River ever pronounced as "Tems" like in London?

—Curious about the staffing and operation of the several railroad drawbridges in SE CT (Thames River, Shaw's Cove, Niantic River, CT River). Manned 24/7? What do they do all day (and night)? How do Thames River and CT River operators get from shore to their work area? Are the bridge operators employed by ConnDOT? Amtrak? Someone else? They must have a few publishable anecdotes about unusual situations that have occurred over the years.

If you submitted the question that our readers select by popular vote, expect a call from a reporter, who will ask if you want to participate in the story.

Cast your vote, then keep reading The Day until you see the story.

This is the opinion of Karen Florin, managing editor. Reach her at k.florin@theday.com or (860) 701-4217.