CONDO OWNERS ASK FOR HELP; LAWSUIT DEBT THREATENS GAS, ELECTRICITY PAYMENTS.

Byline: Paul O'Donoghue Staff Writer

Seeking community support in their battle against a $6.7 million lawsuit debt, hundreds of Le Parc condominium owners and supporters rallied outside City Hall on Saturday, holding placards reading ``Don't Let Them Take Our Homes.''

``We're going to do whatever it takes to win,'' said Ferenc Guthi, president of the Le Parc condominium homeowners association, who praised a Ventura County Superior Court judge for ordering one of Le Parc's management companies on Friday to pay $21,000 in back utility bills to prevent a cutoff in gas and power today.

``We avoided a shutdown, folks,'' said Guthi over a megaphone to more cheers. ``At the eleventh hour, we avoided the shutdown.''

The rally was the first mass demonstration organized by the Le Parc Community Association, which represents the 264 condominium owners in the complex who are saddled with paying for the court judgment won by ZM Construction.

ZM president Darren Zuzow sued for defamation and breach of contract in a dispute over earthquake repair work.

The court imposed the judgment last July against the previous condominium association, upholding Zuzow's claim.

Under the court-ordered assessment, Zuzow is entitled to collect the full $26,300 due from each of the homeowners but has asked them to pay $166 a month, in addition to the $150 per month in fees for utilities, insurance and other charges.

Some residents say they can't afford to pay and that the utility money is being used to pay the court judgment, interest on which is mounting at $1,900 a day.

``It's extremely terrible. We just can't do it.'' said Robin Navickas, who bought her two-bedroom condo 10 years ago.

``Lots of people who have big mortgages will just walk away from it. It's a disaster, so we're very frustrated.''

Leaving City Hall and chanting ``Together, each achieves more,'' the crowd filed down along Tapo Canyon Road to the Farmers Insurance building on Cochran Street, seeking help from their insurance carrier.

After the 1-1/2 mile walk, the protesters walked up and down the sidewalk chanting ``Justice, justice, justice,'' and waving placards as passing cars honked in support.

Monique Wilber demonstrated with her husband and daughter.

``We're just trying to show them that we need help,'' said Wilber, 35, a teacher in North Hollywood with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Wilber and her husband are renting their condominium to a tenant and living elsewhere, but had hoped to sell the unit and buy a house with the proceeds.

With their money tied up in Le Parc and home prices rising, their dream home is getting further out of reach.

``The unit is practically worthless because no one will buy it,'' said Wilber.

``Teachers don't make much, and between my husband's new business and my salary we're staggered.''

Guthi said Reiser's ruling only gives the homeowners a respite until Aug. 10, when the next round of utility bills must be paid.

He said that five units in the complex have already gone into foreclosure due to the financial burden.

``It's a nightmare,'' said Guthi, who owns a single bedroom unit with a loft in the building.

Assemblyman Tom McClintock, R-Granada Hills, is considering introducing legislation that would help out homeowner associations that find themselves in similar predicaments to Le Parc's, said Russ Hopkins, the lawmaker's Simi Valley field representative.

But Hopkins said McClintock cannot intervene in the Le Parc dispute ``because it is a court issue.''

``I'm hoping the courts will not let these people lose their homes,'' he said. ``This is terrible.''

Hopkins spoke to the homeowners outside Farmers:

``Keep up the fight,'' he said. ``May God bless all of you.''

Simi Valley real estate dealer Vicki Gemette said the outcome of the dispute could have statewide ramifications and is being monitored by thousands of homeowner associations.

``I think that all of California is going to be looking at this as setting a precedent,'' said Gemette, who manages seven privately owned Le Parc condominiums and represents Simi Valley on the California Association of Realtors.

``It's a horrific situation,'' she said. ``If someone wants to sell, they can't bail.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color in Simi Edition only) Condominium owners march down Tapo Canyon Road as part of their battle against a lawsuit debt.

(2--Color in Simi Edition only) Le Parc condominium owners prepare to march Saturday.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News