Ex-Assemblyman Heads Coastal Panel

SAN FRANCISCO —  Former Assemblyman Michael Wornum was elected chairman of the state Coastal Commission on Tuesday by a coalition of moderates and conservatives, an action that an opponent predicted would hurt efforts to protect the coast.

Wornum, 60, a city councilman from Larkspur in Marin County, defeated another former assemblyman, Charles Warren, by an 8-4 vote for a one-year term as chairman of the commission that regulates development along California’s coast.

Both men are Democrats. Wornum was appointed to the commission four years ago by the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles). Warren was appointed two months ago by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco).

Baldwin Park City Councilman Leo King was elected vice chairman.

The four commissioners appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian--all Republicans--supported Wornum over Warren. Brown appointed Warren to the commission after deciding not to renew the appointment of environmentalist Mel Nutter of Long Beach, the commission chairman.

Two Deukmejian appointees, Steve MacElvaine and Thomas McMurray Jr., switched their initial votes from MacElvaine to Wornum, giving Wornum a majority.

Deukmejian has proposed abolishing the Coastal Commission and has cut its budget and staff by about a third.

The Coastal Commission chairman has no appointive powers but can influence the outcome of debates and often is public spokesman for the commission.

“It undermines the commission, having a weak leader who is beholden to Republicans for his election and his continuance,” said commission member Duane Garrett, a San Francisco lawyer and Democratic activist. “It doesn’t speak well for coastal protection.”

Garrett, who nominated Warren, his fellow Brown appointee, as chairman, said Wornum has “a very mixed record as an environmentalist,” particularly on offshore oil drilling.

Ann Notthoff of the Natural Resources Defense Council said Wornum “hasn’t been particularly strong” for environmental protection as a commission member and has often supported pro-development interests in local government.

“I think I’ve got a pretty good environmental record . . . but I’m not a fanatic,” Wornum said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Brown Tuesday appointed Mark Nathanson, a Beverly Hills business executive, to the commission. Nathanson, 46, a Republican, received a two-year term and replaces Carolyn McNeil.

He is president of Mark Nathanson Enterprises and senior vice president of Aaron Spelling Productions. He also is a member of the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbor Commission.