McCarty fallout continues with land deal

Former Palm Beach County commissioner Mary McCarty continued to rise to the top of regional government business, after a request to extend a below-market-rate lease of 600 acres in the Agricultural Reserve. The previous land owners provided free hotel stays to McCarty as they lobbied to build a hotel next to the county convention center. Current occupant Pero Family Farms has long leased the 600 acres to grow vegetables. The current deal charges a rent of $1,311 per acre and expires in May. The new proposed lease through 2012 would charge $500 per acre.