City to annex 'islands' of land

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City Council Tuesday night began the process of annexing "islands" of land surrounded by the city.

Councilman George Wangemann was opposed, saying it amounts to forced annexation; Councilwoman Ruth Bruner made the motion.

"The state law says you can go ahead and annex all your islands, which means things that are completely surrounded by the city," she said.

Bruner added erasing the parcels should erase jurisdiction questions from the city fire and police departments.