Residents fight as Isanti annexes 27 properties

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Though city life is still miles away, city rules showed up last week for George Hemen and his girlfriend.

The couple has lived for 31 years outside Isanti, Minn., in an unincorporated area--a fact they were proud of, until last week when a letter showed up in the mail saying their property, along with 26 others, would be annexed by the City of Isanti, bringing with it new rules and new taxes.

At a City Council meeting Tuesday Isanti officials pled their case, ultimately voting to annex the properties. It's simply how cities grow, they said, though residents still vow to fight until the end. 

"A city should not be able to go pirate other properties surrounding it, or in it, just because they can't balance their budget," Hemen said.