Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone was AWOL from last week’s county Democratic dinner at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook that attracted 500 and brought in $350,000.

Bellone’s absence, particularly at an event where Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was the headline speaker, sparked renewed speculation about ongoing bad blood between Bellone and Suffolk Democratic chairman Rich Schaffer, who is also Babylon Town supervisor.

Schaffer said he received a call late on Oct. 24, the day of the dinner, telling him the county executive could not make the event for personal reasons. Bellone’s office gave the same reason, but provided no other details.

Schaffer said he was surprised that Bellone missed the dinner only because earlier in the day Bellone had said he planned to attend when he and Schaffer ran into each at another event.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

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