CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : T. W. Gwyn Elected Coastal Panel Chief

In a surprise action, Thomas W. Gwyn, a university administrator from San Francisco, was elected chairman of the California Coastal Commission just four days after he was appointed to the panel, which is charged with protecting the state’s coastline. Environmentalists voiced concern about Gwyn’s sudden prominence, especially because he was supported by commissioners regarded by them as pro-development. But Gwyn sought to calm their fears, maintaining that he shares “the commitment of this commission to protecting the 1,100 miles of California coastline.” He said his election on a 7-5 vote gives the panel the opportunity for a “fresh start” after several months of stalemate over picking a new chairman to replace Michael Wornum of Larkspur, whose commission term ended.