Suffolk's Bellone cordially appears with his last opponent

There was at least the appearance of peace in Suffolk politics last week as former foes County Executive Steve Bellone and Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter held a joint news conference at Long Island MacArthur Airport.

Bellone, who was there to announce $1.5 million in county money for the airport, wouldn't say if he would endorse Democrat Thomas Licari, who is running for supervisor against Republican Carpenter. Carpenter wouldn't say if she endorsed James O'Connor, the GOP candidate against Bellone. Carpenter called O'Connor "a fine candidate and a fine gentleman. So is our county executive."

Four years ago, Carpenter, then county treasurer, ran unsuccessfully against Bellone.