Environmental issues continue to be a priority for the county and Environmental Services Director Kathryn Jolly appears to have the ear of the county board chairman.

Jolly, longtime head of the department, made news earlier this year when emails obtained by the Post showed she worked closely with tax payer-funded consultants to monitor environmental ongoings at the proposed school central office site at 329 S. Main St.

Jolly declined to be interviewed for the story.

Jolly has worked with Golder Associates to lead county officials’ efforts against the 329 S. Main St. and was involved in environmental surveys before the county purchased the mall in December.

Those efforts appear to have gained the respect of County Manager Gary Page and Board Chairman Jim Sides, who Jolly frequently emails.

Despite county officials’ statements that Rowan was no longer concerned with the downtown central office site early in 2013, emails show Jolly continued to work with Golder on the issue until at least August.