Emotions were running high on both sides of the presidential election Wednesday following Tuesday’s election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States.

Trump defeated Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton to win the office.

The Era spoke to several people in the community and asked what their feelings are regarding the election of Trump. Some also commented on issues they believe should be immediately addressed by Trump when he assumes office in January.

Here are their comments:

• Cliff Parrott, Bradford — Parrott said he had had no doubts the nation would vote Trump into office.

“I had a feeling it was going to happen because too many people felt this way,” he said. “A lot of people shut up about it, but I didn’t, I’ll say what’s on my mind.”

Parrott said he believes the number one issue that should be addressed by Trump is his consideration of who he’ll appoint to the Supreme Court, because of the court’s lasting influence on the country.

Parrott believes Trump should also address Obamacare and immigration, as well as review the military and “bring it back to where it should be.

“I think he should help the vets and straighten out the VA,” Parrott added. “I hope he will take care of this.”

• Cathy Garrett, Lewis Run — “I’m a little concerned because (Trump) doesn’t take criticism very well,” Garrett said. “I wonder if one of our world leaders said something he didn’t agree with, how is he going to fire back.”

Garrett said she believes Trump needs to exercise more diplomacy and listen to his Cabinet members in the future.

“Hopefully they’ll have more experience in government than he does, because he doesn’t have any,” she remarked. Garrett said she also wonders if Trump will be able to compromise and listen to others, “or is he going to do things the way he wants to do them.”

She is hopeful Trump will address Obamacare and the Common Core educational initiative, as he promised during his campaign.

• Jennifer Garrett, Olean, N.Y.  — “I’m afraid (Trump) will do religious persecution, I don’t want this (country) to be another Nazi Germany,” she said, noting Trump’s stated concern with Muslims may lead to segregation for that group of people.

“It concerns me that he will take the law into his own hands,” she added. “I don’t want us to go back in time.”

• Bob South, Bradford — South said he hopes Trump will help create jobs and address welfare reform.

“He says he’ll do it, and it will be great if he does,” South said.

• John Wells, Bradford — “My opinion is that it’s a sad thing in this country when the two choices we had for president weren’t good choices,” Wells said. “Unfortunately, I think our money markets are going to see a huge crash. I think we’re going to see a lot of changes people aren’t going to like.”

Wells said he hopes Trump will bring jobs back into the country, instead of the current trend of “shipping them overseas.”

He said he isn’t holding out hope for reform by Trump because he will have to convince the Republican-controlled House and Senate on several issues.

“It’s going to be a real battle because his own party doesn’t even like him,” Wells stated.

• Chris Laktash, Bradford — “I think he needs to address immigration and he needs to look at restructuring (of the North American Free Trade Agreement),” Laktash said of NAFTA’s perceived role in sending American manufacturing jobs to foreign countries.

“I’m happy to see Americans come out and vote,” he concluded. “It’s too bad it took all this controversy” to have that happen.