Assuming the authors version of events to be true, I think he was being as reasonable as possible when confronted with obvious incompetence and hostility from public servants. This probably happens a lot in the world of FOIA.
I do want to recognize that not all local governments behave the way described. When I was recently called for jury duty, I discovered a vulnerability in the city's jury duty online portal that would've let anyone get the PII of anyone ever called for jury duty via that system. I immediately called the county IT department, and they took me very seriously and thanked me for the report. They later emailed me back to tell me they worked with the vendor to close the vulnerability. I was extremely impressed with their professionalism and wish that all local governments could be so responsive.
I do want to recognize that not all local governments behave the way described. When I was recently called for jury duty, I discovered a vulnerability in the city's jury duty online portal that would've let anyone get the PII of anyone ever called for jury duty via that system. I immediately called the county IT department, and they took me very seriously and thanked me for the report. They later emailed me back to tell me they worked with the vendor to close the vulnerability. I was extremely impressed with their professionalism and wish that all local governments could be so responsive.