As a national debate looms over the U.S. Postal Service and mail-in voting, West Palm Beach partner Harvey E. Oyer III was recently interviewed by South Florida’s National Public Radio, discussing the rich history of mail carriers prior to the 20th century.
The program included a conversation about the 1951 film “The Barefoot Mailman,” a romanticized portrayal of early Florida’s postal system, as well as input from Oyer about the more factual, rich history of the state’s early mail carriers. The film’s protagonist was based on Charlie Pierce, Harvey’s great-grand uncle and one of the State’s pioneer mail carriers and someone Oyer has written about in the children’s books he has authored.
In particular, Oyer reminded listeners of the inherent dangers faced by the barefoot mailmen, including threats posed not only by Florida’s weather and tropical terrain, but also contending with gators, bears, panthers, and other wildlife.
“It really put the USPS motto of ‘neither wind, nor snow, nor hail, nor dead of night…’ to the test,” he said.
To hear the full program, click here.
About Harvey E. Oyer III
Harvey E. Oyer III is a partner in the West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. As a fifth generation native of Palm Beach County, Harvey brings a unique perspective to his understanding of the issues facing the region, its real estate market and development. He is one of the region’s leading land use & zoning lawyers, having led the approval of many of the county’s largest and most iconic projects. Harvey represents commercial and residential developers, cultural institutions, large farming interests and rural land owners, and governmental agencies in real estate transactions, finance, land use, zoning, agricultural law, and government affairs.