Last Tuesday evening, Earl Couch found himself celebrating after being declared the winner and top votegetter in the Burnettown Town Council election, but tonight at 6 p.m. he'll be subject to a hearing calling his candidacy into question.

A complaint was filed with the Aiken County Registration and Elections office last week by the four candidates who failed to win election to one of the two seats in last Tuesday's council race. James McIntosh, Karen Long, Sharon Gagnon and David Wise brought the charge against Couch as to whether or not he actually resides in Burnettown or Langley.

A hearing on the matter will be held tonight at Burnettown Town Hall, and will be conducted by the Aiken County Registration and Elections office.

"I know where I live," said Couch.

Couch insists he's a resident of 146 Burnett St., Burnettown, and his opponents contest he lives at a home in Langley on Jackson Street.

Several of the candidates who filed the complaint were contacted, but refused to comment prior to this evening's hearing.

"I'm a resident of Burnettown, and regularly attend council meetings and other community events," said Couch, from a press release. "When I campaigned, I went out into the neighborhood and worked. I worked hard. I am retired and have time to get out and work! And, I did!"

Couch insists the home that he owns in Langley is an investment property, and is up for sale. Couch stated he has lived in Burnettown for the past 15 years and was raised on Burnett Street. His driver's license, voter's registration card and other pertinent business are conducted at his Burnettown address.

"I've had two contracts on it (The house in Langley) already," said Couch, from a press release. "The buyers were unable to complete the sale. I recently made an offer on another investment house in Burnettown. I bought the Langley property this past January and go to the house daily. I work on it, and spend time there to prevent break-ins. I've owned other properties in the area over the years, and I've sold them as investment properties. The fact that I spend time at that house doesn't take away from where I live or go to sleep. It doesn't take away from my ability to serve my hometown."