BELLEFONTE, CENTRE COUNTY - Bellefonte has seen quite a bit of media attention since the Sandusky scandal broke almost one year ago, and now with Sandusky's sentencing complete, many of the residents are ready for the area to get back to some sort of normalcy.
"I believe this town would like very much to get back to normal," said Bellefonte resident Florence Palmer. "This has not been the excitement that we wanted in this town and we don't feel it was fair."
Once word of Sandusky's 30 to 60 year jail sentence spread throughout the community, many expressed shock at what they felt was a lighter than expected sentence.
"I think he could have gotten more time," said one Bellefonte resident. "Of course, he's going to be there for the rest of his life, but I don't think there's any punishment good enough for what the victims had to go through and I feel bad for them."
For others like Don Rhoads, who has lived in Bellefonte for 75 years, the hatred for what Sandusky did lingers and grows.
"It was bad and he got what he deserves," Rhoads said. "These pedophiles, I hate."
Now that the sentencing is complete, much of the community's attention is turning from Sandusky to the victims.
"I'm glad it's over," said Palmer. "Now I hope the victims can live their lives and be free."
"I believe this town would like very much to get back to normal," said Bellefonte resident Florence Palmer. "This has not been the excitement that we wanted in this town and we don't feel it was fair."
Once word of Sandusky's 30 to 60 year jail sentence spread throughout the community, many expressed shock at what they felt was a lighter than expected sentence.
"I think he could have gotten more time," said one Bellefonte resident. "Of course, he's going to be there for the rest of his life, but I don't think there's any punishment good enough for what the victims had to go through and I feel bad for them."
For others like Don Rhoads, who has lived in Bellefonte for 75 years, the hatred for what Sandusky did lingers and grows.
"It was bad and he got what he deserves," Rhoads said. "These pedophiles, I hate."
Now that the sentencing is complete, much of the community's attention is turning from Sandusky to the victims.
"I'm glad it's over," said Palmer. "Now I hope the victims can live their lives and be free."
