Steve Etcher’s announcement last week that he is stepping down as executive director of the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission came as a shock to several local officials with whom he has worked closely over the years. When contacted by The Record regarding the announcement, area leaders expressed disappointment over Etcher’s pending departure, but they also wished him well in his future endeavors. “I think he will be greatly missed,” said Arden Engelage, Warren County presiding commissioner. “He’s done a wonderful job for us in the past. “He’s a special individual, and he’ll do an excellent job at what he’s planning to do,” he added. “We’re really going to miss him, and we wish him the best.” Murray Bruer, Truesdale mayor and chairman of the board of directors for the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission, commented that he would need “three tablets and four or five pencils” to fully express the level of respect and admiration he has for Etcher. “I could use the whole dictionary of adjectives to describe him,” Bruer said, adding that “to put it in words would be hard because there’s so many aspects to him. “I wish him well,” Bruer added. “He’s done great work for us and we’ve had a really good relationship. I think the world of him. “Fortunately, we’re not really losing him,” Bruer noted. “We’ll still see a lot of him and we’ll still benefit from his expertise. I know he’ll do well.” “We’re very disappointed to be losing him, but we knew that would happen some day,” said Jerry Dyer, Warrenton mayor. “He’s been great for the city of Warrenton and Warren County. “He’s going to be hard to replace because he’s such a visionary person,” Dyer added. “We’re going to miss him.” Karen Girondo, Wright City’s economic development director, expressed similar feelings. “I have always enjoyed working with Steve,” she remarked. “He’s always very professional and he was always willing to help in any way, shape or form. “He will be greatly missed, especially considering what he’s done for Wright City and the whole region.”