CONDO RESIDENTS FACE GAS SHUT-OFF; MANAGEMENT FAILED TO PAY BILL FOR CANYON COUNTRY SITE.

Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer

The management company for a Canyon Country condominium complex had not contacted the Gas Co. by Friday afternoon regarding an outstanding bill that threatens to halt service to 244 residents.

A Gas Co. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Bartlein & Company, Inc., the firm the manages the Canyon Village complex, has not contacted the utility to pay the 2-month-old bill.

``This isn't the first time we've had trouble with them,'' the official said. ``It's not like we're not willing to make arrangements either. We're not in the business to shut off people's gas, but if we have to, we will.''

Employees at the Santa Clarita management company would not comment on the matter Friday. An accounts payable representative, who identified herself only as Hope, said Thursday that the nonpayment was a mix-up because the company changed its address.

Condominium residents countered that the company has a history of problems at the complex.

``There are leaky roofs that haven't been properly dealt with and now this,'' said Shannon Ruggieri, who lives at Canyon Village with her husband and two children.

Residents of the complex, who say they contribute as much as $165 a month in dues, returned home Wednesday to find shut-off notices on their mailboxes. Alex Schmidt, who has lived at the complex for more than a year, said the company assured him the bills would be taken care of. A residents association hired Bartlein to handle the complex's business, including the operation of common water heaters. Residents receive individual gas bills for heating their stoves and natural gas uses.