UPDATE: Mayor Noam Bramson used an illegal executive session to claim to the City Council that Talk of the Sound accused him of being unfaithful to his wife.
This claim is entirely false, as a plain reading of this article makes clear. Our editorial decision to exclude the role of Mayor Bramson’s mother in reporting this case to her son was taken to protect her identity and otherwise leave her out a story about prostitution. Having done so, Mayor Bramson seeks to turn that courtesy into an allegation that our story states or infers that he made a complaint based on direct personal experience with the Renue Spa. This is a knowingly false claim, made in an illegal executive session, after Mayor Bramson became upset after losing a controversial vote on creating the position of Assistant Police Commissioner in the New Rochelle Police Department.
New Rochelle police have arrested two employees of Renue Spa located at 63 Memorial Highway in downtown New Rochelle on charges of prostitution and practicing massage therapy without a license. The two women arrested, Yujin Jin and Hong-Hua Zhao, both Chinese nationals residing in Queens, NY were arrested on February 2, 2011 and arraigned in the City Court of New Rochelle on February 8, 2011.
The arrests came after a complaint filed by New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. Detectives from the Special Investigation Unit of the New Rochelle Police Department followed up on the Mayor’s report of suspected prostitution and made the arrests.
The street corner near the New Rochelle Train Station was previously the offices of Deluxe Taxi. For years the owners refuse to sell the property for development by Avalon Bay and the lone building became known as “The Little House on the Prairie”.
The massage parlor is located in a retail space on the Memorial Highway side of the Avalon building at 255 Huguenot Street. The building was recently sold to Hartz Mountain in what is the largest real estate transaction in the history of New Rochelle.
Reposted to reply to comment in the correct position.
Reposted to reply to comment in the correct position.
The Mayor gets no credit for his Elliott Spitzer moment
If you have been sent to do damage control, you have failed.
Elliott Spitzer = Steamroller = High Priced Call Girls = Resigned from office in disgrace.
Our Mayor = Steamroller = Arrest of two victims of Human Sex trafficking while the Johns and the pimps/traffickers get a pass = Should resign from office sooner than later.
As Railien said in an earlier post:
“What was he doing there?
“The real questions are:
What the hell is the Mayor doing in a cathouse?
How did he know about this place (first hand invitation)?
Is the NRPD so short of funds the Mayor has to do an ‘investigation’ and file a complaint?”
There are many reports of women being smuggled into the country from China living in Queens, After they arrive many are forced into illegal activities. The fact that only these two women were arrested and no one else speaks volumes.
In following orders, threats against residents are dismissed, In the arrest of these women, their handlers and John’s go free. Crime and punishment is relative in New Rochelle and justice is dispensed as the mayor sees fit.
It wasn’t a “Cat House”
I’ve been there. It was a massage parlor.
That also apparently gave handies…
Very possible for a man to go there for a massage, and then be surprised about the offer of a rub and tug. If you were the Mayor and that happened to you, you’d probably start an investigation (as he did).
Is the Mayor a Steamroller?
Is it possible that our Mayor is a “Steamroller.” I want to hear from the women accused and find out who the Johns were. I pass by there all the time, and never saw anyone come in or out. How is it that our Mayor, who is known for not frequenting downtown, knows enough about this operation to file a personal complaint?
He has a lot of explaining to do.
Mayor, we are listening.
To Ladyjustice: Mayor Bramson Frequents Downtown New Rochelle
To Ladyjustice, Mayor Bramson does frequent downtown New Rochelle.
I live on Huguenot, less than a block from Division, and I have often seen Noam Bramson on Division St, where he eats at the great restaurants there. Additionally, his mother lives in Avalon II, so no doubt he is often in or near that building. Richard St Paul lives in that building also.
You should not confuse your own lack of accurate information as being the same thing as being fully informed.
BTW, what the heck is meant by ‘steamrolling’? That is a term I have never heard used, other than regarding construction equipment. I would think that most people would have no idea what your use of that phrase means.
Brian…read and comprehend before commenting
Hi Brian,
OK You say he frequents downtown businesses. So he was in the area. Thanks for the confirmation.
+++++++++++
Former NYS Governor Spitzer (remember him Brian) said he was a steamroller…the mayor tried to steamroll a city councilman and the voice of many NR constituents in what you called a you-tube moment.
The statement and action are similar. Steamroller = Steamroller.
++++++++++++
The question that needs to be asked now is, how did the mayor know what was going on in the spa? I frequent downtown and never saw anything unusual in front of or around the spa. Hundred’s of people live in the building and walk by the Spa daily so how did the Mayor know what even the NRPD did not.
Side note: no where in this thread was Councilman St.. Paul mentioned
What point outside of this thread are you trying to make. The Mayor made the personal report to the police, not the councilman.
AND I have asked questions, and did not make mistatements, so read what I have written and take a moment to comprehend what I have written before making statements that only show that you have an agenda and a bias against anyone asking questions in a open forum. If you are trying to steamroll me, good luck!!!
If you can share additional light on the Spa, since this is your neighborhood, almost next door,and you are so knowledgeable about so may things, feel free. Inquiring minds want to know.
Your turn.
Why Wouldn’t One Expect the Mayor to Frequent Downtown?
Why wouldn’t one expect the Mayor to frequent downtown New Rochelle?
Other members of the City Council, one would expect to find in downtown New Rochelle are Richard St Paul who lives there, Barry Fertel who has his law office on Huguenot and North, Al Tarrantino whose jewelry store on the Corner of Main and Centre.
I’ve heard of being steamrolled. In 2000, GW Bush steamrolled his way through the Supreme Court, to become elected despite his lack of sufficient electoral or popular votes. But I have never heard of the person doing the steamrolling being a ‘steamroller’, and I presume Spitzer coined it. Thanks for the explanation.
So, what’s your point? I don’t understand your issue at all. Are you complaining that two whores were arrested, and blaming our Mayor? Is that somehow steamrolling? Perhaps you are a libertarian advocating for the world’s oldest business, and that’s fine, but then again the profession remains unlawful in NY State. Lady, that’s justice for you.
Or it your point, that since you hadn’t a clue that that there was whoring near the train station, that no one else did either? Many people speak to the Mayor and to other political and governmental persons every day, about a variety of things, and perhaps people told Mayor Bramson of it.
You are mistaken that Richard St Paul was unmentioned in this thread. I have mentioned him twice, once in each of two posts to this thread, and you have mentioned him once. And what is your point in that regards?
Besides your claiming that if you don’t know what’s happening in downtown New Rochelle, that no one else could possibly know, you are also advocating as to which City Council Members can be mentioned in a thread of postings at Talk of the Sound?
Here’s what I advocate: Only cowards hide behind a fictitious avatar name, while attacking others by name. So tell me, who are you Lady Justice?
Regarding thr Spa, I knew nothing of it, just like you, but no doubt, if they were making money, they must have had customers.
My own agenda is my belief that truth and facts are good things.
Hey Brian..this is still America. Innocent until proven guilty.
Our police force is on record for not investigating death threats against citizens. Why should I believe these women are guilty of what they are being charged with. Because the Mayor says so?
Without men with perversions there would be no such thing as prostitution. Both parties are responsible and these women are entitled to their day in court. As they appear to be foreign nationals forced into their situation. I hope they are tried in Federal Court and the people who profited from them and patronized them punished.
Now, For your attempts to steam roll me. You are such two-faced joke, to take a page from the Postie’s playbook. Your social awkwardness with women explains why you are so quick to condemn these women. Your statement ‘whoring by the train station’ only amplifies your distain and difficulty with women, but this is for your and your therapist to work out. If these women were being exploited and forced into their situation, everyone who profited and exploited them should suffer the same fate, public exposure and punishment for their role in this event.
The exploitation of women such as these is no joke and your actions of labeling them whores before they have their day in court is misogynistic.
This is still the United States of America, and these women are innocent until proven guilty. We as taxpayers pay the mayor’s salary so we the people have the right to know what his connection and or relationship to these women is, if there is a connection at all.
Why would the mayor file a personal report unless he has a first hand encounter? Personal implies that there was interaction or a relationship on some level. He has been acting out lately so who knows what is fact or fiction in his world.
More questions need to be answered and if you are going to appoint yourself judge and jury and if you want to act as his personal partisan defender on the good ship lollypop be my guest.
You didn’t single me out for your personal attacks and call LadyJustice out by name until I inquired about the FOIL and a list of the Johns. That’s right, the complete LIST is what is called for.
Seems I have struck a nerve with you and I hope the list comes out and the women tell their side of what happened on 60 minutes and they name everyone involved. To take one person’s word is not how this country works.
The fact is, you are and will always be a closed minded soul-less partisan who is in my opinion a jerk of the first order. I’ve seen you in action over the years at many events, praising the mayor and party or trashing them depending on who you are talking to, all the while trying to make yourself seem more important as a district leader. I wonder what the mayor would say if he heard what you have said about him in the past behind his back over the years. Bet he would try to steamroll you. I think it best not to push me too far.
These women and the mayor are innocent until proven guilty.
I hope their lawyer provides a translator, with tape.
I hope there are pictures and video so we can All find out what really happened.
Don’t worry the truth will come out, it always does.
And if you watched the movie Boy Wonder, the Avatars WON!!
See you at the polls as you are lead back to the mother ship for liftoff
“Happy Ending” for New Rochelle as Prostitution Complaint Filed
Let’s not lose track of what happened.
The real questions are:
What the hell is the Mayor doing in a cathouse?
How did he know about this place (first hand invitation)?
Is the NRPD so short of funds the Mayor has to do an ‘investigation’ and file a complaint?
Off Track
Many people, afraid of their own shadow, will not file a complaint, yet will ask others to do so.
As an officer of a neighborhood association, I have been asked to do this; for people who did not want to be referenced in their own complaint.
I do not know if this is the situation here; but I do know that your presumption “What the hell is the Mayor doing in a cathouse?” is moronic.
Prostitution
Prostitution wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for men patronizing it since time began. Why are women labeled as whores and prostitutes when the men who visit them have no label? Are they just poor misguided innocent men who are being taken advantage of by these terrible women?
Guess who mostly runs these “cathouses?” Have you ever heard of a woman “pimp?” Millions of women and children all over the world are beaten, abused, and killed by men who force them into prostitution, but no one ever complains about the men. Yes, of course, it’s always the women’s fault.
Sussman inaccurate
FYI, St. Paul moved out of Avalon 2 many months ago. Once again in your attempt to shield Bramson and the democrats from criticism you lie.
NRinfo – Don’t Be Silly
Regarding your post, ‘Sussman Unaccurate’ I have no idea what your point is.
It’s not my business to keep regular track of the addresses of Councilpersons. Richard St Paul lived in Avalon II, and then moved to another address also in CD4.
How does that imply to you that I am attempting “to shield Bramson and the democrats from criticism”?
Why would “Bramson and the democrats” need my shield? Shield from what?
And what is it I have lied about?
You are criticizing for the sake of criticism. Don’t be silly.
A lie is a lie
Mr. Sussman states in another of his long-winded posts; “This year I hope to see a Democrat elected to City Council representing the 4th Council District, and my main concern this year will be with such success. I will do my best to make it so.” I would think that someone who is focused on the council district 4 race would be aware of the incumbent’s pertinent information. You stated councilman St. Paul resides in Avalon II and that’s a lie. I hear you are committed to Roberto Lopez’s return and I wish you good luck but as the last NR election proves you may be the kiss of death to political candidates. You focused on District 1 where councilman Michael Boyle did not run for re-election. The candidates were Lou Trangucci & Susan Kettner. Kettner had a lead going into the final days but your public meltdown at the A&P on Shore Road put Trangucci over the top. You continue to hate the republicans, who represent the rich in your opinion, yet continue to support the NR democrats who give millions of taxpayer dollars in the form of tax abatements and other IDA (democratic controlled) tax benefits. You are nothing more then a political hack.
NRinfo, You Are a Poorly Informed Political Hack
NRInfo, whoever you really are, cowardly hiding behind your avatar name, have accused me of lying, but it you who is lying, as you are unable to cite what my supposed lie was. If you had any sense of self-respect you would use your real name when posting attacks on others. As I am truthful I have nothing to hide, and use my name. What it you have to hide?
You shouldn’t believe unfounded rumors that you hear. You might be surprised when you are confronted with actual facts – but then again, maybe you find facts and truth to be inconvenient to your mindset, preconceptions and rationalizations.
Although I did assist in NR, most campaigning I did in 2007, was not for City Council nor in New Rochelle, but rather throughout Westchester for Family Judge candidate Janet Jordan (now Judge Janet Jordan Malone). I campaigned for Janet six days per week for four months, throughout Westchester, at my own expense, without imbursement. Janet beat her opponent with about 75% of the vote in the 2007 Primary and then beat that same candidate with about 66% vote in the 2007 General Election. I am sure Judge Janet Jordan Malone greatly appreciates my efforts and considers me important to her electoral successes in 2007. There were two other NR Democratic District Leaders who similarly campaigned for Janet, Connie St Cyr and Matt Feinberg, and other than that her main campaign staff was her own family. She did very well, considering the small number of people campaigning with her, and I am proud of contributing to her success.
If NR Dem Chair Arnie Klugman, Marianne Sussman and Barry Fertel had listened to my repeated advice in 2007, to ditch the idea of reassessment, and to ditch the idea of tearing down the Armory, and to ditch the idea of moving City Yard; then currently the NR City Council would consist of six Democrats and one Republican (Tarantino). I had nothing to do with the Democratic losses in 2007, and those losses were despite my valid and insightful advice., and my campaigning efforts. I’ve also given the Democratic Committee excellent advice for this year’s election, which no doubt will also be ignored, but I do expect the Democrats to pick up at least one City Council Seat, CD4, and will do what I can to assure that.
I had no public meltdown at the A&P, and have no idea what you are referring to, and neither do you, as you are full of it. However I did witness Trangucci’s family and associates have a meltdown at Met Food Supermarket on Pelham Rd – Lou himself wasn’t there. If you were there, it was probably you who were doing the meltdown. In reality, there were few people witnessing anyone’s meltdown at any supermarket on Pelham Rd.
The reason Susan Kettner lost the CD1 City Council Election was because of the Dems on the City Council pushing for reassessment and for the destruction of the Armory. Her loss in 2007, ultimately ended up working for Kettner’s and the people of New Rochelle’s advantage considering she is now our elected City Court Judge.
Everyone knows that on the State and Federal level, the Republicans represent the rich, while the rednecks in the southern and western USA cut their own throats by voting for Republicans. The wealthy Republicans laugh every day at those ignorant rednecks who vote Republican based on Republican’s absurd, frightening and puritanical social issue campaigns, even though all the national and state Republicans actual do is cut the very services that benefit those rednecks, and cut the taxes of the wealthy so that Republican rednecks can pay a higher relative proportion of the taxes.
I am an activist, and not a political hack at all. In fact, my activism works against my personally benefitting from my efforts, but it also avoids my being a hypocrite like you are. My main concern is making the USA, NY State and New Rochelle better places for everyone, and that means working through a political party. Clearly, the Democratic Party is far superior, morally and pragmatically than the increasingly fascist Republican Party. I only wish the Democratic Party hadn’t become so conservative over the last 40 years, and hope to see it become liberal like it was from 1932-72.
Superficial characterizations
Your cartoonish characterizations of Democrat=good, Republican=bad is so superficial and juvenile that it is hard to believe that you actually think things through; therefore your credibility is diminished.
National Republicans Are Like A Warner Cartoon
McNulty,
National Republicans are like a Warner Cartoon, whose vivid image hurts NY Republican politicians in Westchester.
My characterization of Republicans is true of those Republicans who are Teabaggers, and of those Republicans who believe the purpose of government is to force their fundamentalist religous values on America. They are their own characterization, and are best represented by such beings as Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann and Mike Huckabee.
Such personalities are forced on the American people by the media, and overwhelm the public exposure of more reasonable Republicans, such as George Will, Olympia Snowe or Sue Collins.
Obviously, I am referring to national exposure here, because most New Rochelle Voters have little association with their own city government politics, other than mailings and robo-calls, most of which is probably ignored.
When your average New Rochelle or Westchester person votes for any office outside of the Board of Ed or Library (both non-partisan), in many cases that vote is directed against the image of seeming fiends like Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann or Newt Gingrich or Dick Cheney.
New Rochelle is overwhelmingly Democrat in each Council District. The local Voters are going to continue to vote against local Republicans.
Therefore, if they wish to win local elections, local Republicans should disassociate themselves from National Republicans. Failure to disassociate is seen by the average voter as implicitly associating with cartoonish National Republicans or with the strange beings who inhabit the world of Fox News.
Unstable
While NRinfo may have Met and A&P mixed up you were there and you had the meltdown. You lied about where councilman St. Paul lives. While we’re at it do you remember chasing the father of a councilman into the men’s room at city hall after a presentation at citizens to be heard? I do because I was there. You are unstable.
Timknows you are mistaken
Timknows you are mistaken in regards to all your accusations, and your assumptions.
As Richard St Paul did live at Avalon II for some time, it is you who are lying by your denying that fact.
If he recently moved to another address, that doesn’t make me a liar, although it does mean I don’t follow his every move.
Sorry to be borring
But often public officials receive complaints which the Mayor could have passed of to the police dept. (for whatever reason, the person maybe just didn’t want to go right to the cops)
I don’t see the scandal.
Now I understand …..
Now I understand the basis of Mayor Bramson’s claim of a $7.5 million “net benefit” from New Rochelle development. Bramson’s benefits are very different from taxpayers who will subsidize Avalon for 30-years while prostitution exists.
“Happy Ending”
And who says that the “North End” doesn’t patronize the shops in
downtown New Rochelle!
Tax break
Did they get a tax break from Noam and company. Did Noam cut the ribbon at there grand opening? will patch do a story on this? Oh no they can’t noam won’t let them.
How did the Mayor come across this information?
How did the Mayor come to suspect prostitution? Can the report he filed with the NRPD be FOILED? Would be interesting reading. Will the women accused have a chance to speak? Is there a list of the Johns?
I am sure this is just the beginning of a very strange story.
Here’s why you’re off base…(don’t blame the mayor)
Ladyjustice,
The fact that many ‘Asian Massage Parlors” dispatch “happy endings” is widely known. If you wish to assert the unfairness of a system that punishes those at the bottom of the power structure you have grounds to do so. However…. these are not brothels per say, but establishments that “front” the provision of a legal service (massage therapy) and behind closed doors subtly offer an illegal service, (happy ending).
There is no “list of Johns,” this is not the Heidi Fleiss or DC madam case. One is not asked or expected to identify themselves upon entry. In fact, if a patron were overtly solicitous of sexual favors, he would in all likelihood be denied. It’s kind of a dirty little secret that more men than you would think (happily married, single, younger, older, etc.) partake in. One pays the posted rate for the massage and tips the provider in cash for the “happy ending.”
As for the mayor….. What is odd about this place is that everyone knows that this is “that kind of place”. They are rarely in high profile locations, and rarer still in relatively new high-rises where families pay upwards of 3,500/month rent. What should the mayor have done? If only one citizen knew of his awareness and theoretical non-response, THAT would be a case for the intrigue. If 100 people knew about it, isn’t it the Mayor’s job to also be aware? It sounds like your T-baggeresque disdain for the Mayor will cause you to latch on to any association in support of your argument…and this one really comes up short.
If you’re looking for intrigue however, (and you feel like taking this on using FOIL issues and what not), I’d be interested in finding out if the DEVELOPER is getting any Federal Housing grants, tax abatements, etc. while leasing to an establishment that is widely known to provide illicit services.
You seem to know much more about this than I do, FOIL away.
Note: first post was not positioned as a response to you so I have reposted.
________________________________________________________________
As you seem to know more about the inner workings of brothels than I do, you would be the better person to FOIL for this information. l look forward to reading what the report says
I object to the Johns and handlers going free. I object to women being labled when it takes two or more to commit the crime. My position is clear and I defer to someone who clearly knows more about how these operations work and how popular they are.
PS I believe the new owner of the building assumed the remainder of the 30 year tax abatement but I do not see how this relates to the issue of Johns and handlers going free. I also feel for the wives or partners who may catch something that does not wash off with soap.
Maybe all the patrons can press the Mayor or council for a Bunny Ranch. Everyone knows what they are there for, taxes ”are paid and appointments with doctors are kept.
There is a vacant property behind the Trump building with off street parking that might be a good location for the Bunny Ranch.
Does this mean I can’t go for
Does this mean I can’t go for my happy ending?
my guess…
they refused to give the mayor his
fed up in NewRo
Glad to see the mayor’s following his american idol…..Elliot Spitzers footsteps…….
my guess…
they refused to give the mayor his