By John Fredericks / STAFF

Voters in Alpharetta Tuesday selected two new city council members to represent them for the next four years: Mike Kennedy and Chris Owens.

Kennedy cruised with nearly 75 percent of the vote in Post 2, thumping his opponent Aubrey Osteen, who now is approaching Harold Stassen-like perennial candidate status.

Post 4 was an altogether different story, where Chris Owens eked out a hard fought victory over outspoken community activist Tom Miller by 240 votes. Newcomer and national protest conservative candidate John Keim had a very respectable showing, gathering nearly a quarter of the total votes cast.

In the end, though, it may have been Keim who ultimately did Miller in. Keim and Miller are both Windward residents. His determined effort forced Miller to defend his Windward base, and in so doing he split Miller’s stronghold turf by over one third. Miller couldn’t make up those lost votes in Alpharetta’s west side, which overwhelmingly went for Owens.

Owens was humble in his victory. “I think everybody ran a great campaign, my hat is off to Tom Miller and John Keim. I’m thrilled with the results, and I’m very honored and I look forward to being able to serve.”