Council member Doran did things his way on Clearwater City Council

CLEARWATER — As City Council members go, John Doran has a way all his own: He rarely asks a question to which he doesn't know the answer.

"They drill that into you all the time in law school," Doran said. "Council members don't like to be surprised."

On Monday, after eight years in office, Doran will step down due to term limits. The only Democrat on a council of Republicans, Doran was a strong supporter of homeless services and a major backer of red-light cameras.

The 65-year-old is a tax accountant and an attorney in probate, wills and trusts; for a time, he also worked as a real estate agent. Self-employed, he typically works until 9 every night.

Born in Indianapolis, Doran served a year in South Korea with the U.S. Army, "defending our freedoms with a calculator," before earning a law degree and master's degree in business administration from Indiana University.

In the 1970s, he ran two pizzerias, a barbecue joint and a college bar called the Stabilizer in Indiana. He moved to Clearwater Beach in 1983.

A civic-group regular and former president of the Clearwater Beach Association, Doran spent a decade watching council discussion from the back of the City Hall chambers before he ran for office. Sometimes reading a book, he learned to absorb the council's "substance and rhythms."

"It was better than anything on TV on Thursday nights," Doran said. "It's got everything: news, drama, humor."

After he leaves office, he would like to coordinate local community gardens and work on installing mailbox art. An experienced zydeco dancer, he has also discussed with his wife, Stephanie, about learning how to salsa.

"The right way," he said. "Not the Doran way."

Contact Drew Harwell at (727) 445-4170 or dharwell@tampabay.com. Send letters to the editor at tampabay.com/letters.