Milton Milan's former colleagues at City Hall seemed mildly shocked and taken aback when they learned of his seven-year prison sentence.

"Wow!" said Municipal Clerk Luis Pastoriza. "Most of the stuff that you read was that they were going to be somewhat lenient."

Milan served as mayor from July 1997 until his December conviction on 14 corruption charges. A pre-sentencing report made public at an earlier court hearing recommended a maximum sentence of 67 months, but the judge moved it up to 87 months - or seven years, three months.

After local officials heard the news, nearly everyone expressed sorrow for Milan's wife and three children. But they also stated unequivocally that Milan must face the the consequences of his actions.

"The public trust is very important. The penalties (for abusing it) should be severe," said Richard Cinaglia, the city's comptroller and chief financial officer. "It's a shame because Milton's a likable person. He had the qualities to be a good leader."

Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, who was appointed to fill Milan's term before being elected in her own right last month, said the sentencing "is unfortunate for his family and for the great city of Camden."

Gayle Carr, forewoman of the jury who convicted Milan, did not attend the sentencing and said she found no joy in Milan's punishment.

Carr called Pisano a "compassionate and reasonable man" and said she fully supported his ruling. She added that it was heartening to hear that Milan had apologized in court for his behavior.

"I just hope he turns his life around at this point and becomes a better person for it," Carr said.

But one of her jury colleagues, Fred Kopp, said Milan was " a crook" and that he deserved even more time than Pisano gave him. The former mayor engaged in a pattern of abusing his position, Kopp said.

"I think he looked at it as a gravy train," he said.

Two of Milan's predecessors, Angelo Errichetti and Arnold Webster, were convicted of wrongdoing but got lighter sentences. Errichetti served 32 months, Webster six months of house arrest.

Kopp and others said they hope Milan's lengthier sentence makes it clear that misuse of public office is a serious offense.

"No more slaps on the wrist," Kopp said.

Said City Council President Angel Fuentes: "It sends a strong message to elected officials not to abuse their given power."

There were also questions about whether Milan, the city's first Hispanic mayor, had been unfairly singled out in a county rife with allegations of political patronage.

"I think people look at this racially," said Dwaine Williams, a city employee, school board vice president and former Milan supporter. "I think they believe ... that if Milton was white, he would not be in jail today."

Pastoriza said he agreed that Camden officials receive a disproportionate amount of attention from authorities.

"I think all municipalities should be held to the same level of scrutiny as we have," he said.

Some people have already put the Milan saga behind them. While there used to be all kinds of buzz about the former mayor in City Hall, no one was really talking on Friday, said one employee.

"I just don't think people care that much anymore," said Christine DiCarlo, who works at City Hall in the county clerk's office.

Councilman Gilbert "Whip" Wilson said he hopes this will close one of the most troubling periods in the city's history. But unfortunately, he said, Milan's misdeeds will probably continue to haunt the impoverished city as it struggles to rebuild.

"It's not going to go away," he said.