Jim Cook Jr.

Last updated
James R. Cook, Jr.
Jim Cook Jr. Levoy.jpeg
Jim Cook Jr. at the grand opening gala of the Levoy Theatre in September 2012.
Born (1987-08-25) August 25, 1987 (age 37)
Nationality American
Education B.A., Journalism
Alma mater Rowan University
Military career
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service / branchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Years of service2013 - 2018
Rank Sergeant (E-5)

Jim Cook Jr. (born August 25, 1987, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American writer, actor, and filmmaker, [1] who served in the United States Army. In 2012, Cook ran a successful election campaign by only using social media. [2] He graduated from Woodstown High School in 2006. [3]

Contents

Biography

Cook was raised in Pilesgrove Township, New Jersey [4] and graduated from Woodstown High School in 2006. [5] He graduated from Rowan University in May 2010 and joined the South Jersey Times as a news reporter in November the same year.

In September 2012, Cook wrote and produced Roundabout: A New Amusement, a play about the history of the Levoy Theatre. The play was performed for the theater's grand opening gala. He has served on the theater's Board of Directors since January 2019. [6]

On the night before the general 2012 election, Cook launched a last-minute bid with no funding and less than 24 hours to win a seat on the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District school board of education. [7] Later that month, it was announced Cook had won a seat representing Pilesgrove Township, using only social media to rally votes. [8]

Due to his position as an editor, Cook was urged by the South Jersey Times to decline the BOE appointment to avoid a conflict of interest, to which he agreed. [9]

On October 3, 2013, Cook announced his departure from the South Jersey Times and his enlistment into the United States Army. [10] He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina in February 2014. He served his full enlistment at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea assigned to the 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment (3rd BCD-K).

Stray electricity investigation

From 2010 to 2013 at the South Jersey Times (then The News of Cumberland County), Cook worked closely with former 1981 NFL Baltimore Colt defensive lineman Anthony “Bubba” Green on a series investigating the city of Baltimore in the electrocution death of Green's daughter Deanna in Druid Hill Park in 2006. [11] The series — along with various legal proceedings [12] — assisted in the creation of the Deanna Camille Green Rule, which requires electric companies in Maryland to survey for contact voltage (stray electricity). The overall intention of the rule is to prevent accidental electrocutions. [13]

The series — later titled Battling Stray Electricity: A family's journey — received a 2010 New Jersey Press Association award in Public Service. [14]

Writing

Year(s)WorkType
2010A Christmas CarolStage Play
2012Roundabout, A New AmusementStage Play

Awards

• New Jersey Press Association (2010) | Lloyd P. Burns Award for Public Service [15]

• New Jersey Press Association (2012) | Breaking News [16]

• Beyond the Curve International Film Festival (Aug 2021) | Finalist | The Roommate [17]

• The International Documentary Film Festival (July 2023) | Honorable Mention | Mini Doc: On Golden Pond [18] [19]

Theatre credits

Year(s)ProductionRoleProducer
2012RoundaboutJim Levoy Theatre
2013 Biloxi Blues James Hennesey Levoy Theatre
2013 Les Misérables Enjolras Levoy Theatre
2019 To Kill a Mockingbird Nathan & Boo Radley Levoy Theatre
2021 The War of the Worlds Carl Phillips, Stranger Levoy Theatre
2022 Singin’ in the Rain (musical) Don Lockwood Oakwood Summer Theatre
2022 Our Town Simon Stimson Levoy Theatre
2022 Holiday Inn (musical) Jim Hardy Levoy Theatre
2022 A Christmas Carol Narrator, Topper Cumberland Players
2023 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Guildenstern Blue Moon Theatre
2023 The Rocky Horror Show Rocky (u/s Brad) Blue Moon Theatre
2024 Charlotte’s Web Director Blue Moon Theatre
2024 White Christmas Bob Wallace Levoy Theatre

Filmography

Year(s)ProductionRoleProducer
2005The PocketDirector/Writer, Roger Woodstown High School (student film) [20]
2008A Moment With Jim Cook Jr.HostJCJR Films [21]
2013Prom EtiquetteDirector/Actor South Jersey Times [22]
2021The RoommateDirector/Producer/ActorJCJR Films [23]
2022Mini-Doc: On Golden PondDirector/ProducerJCJR Films [24]
2022Mini-Doc: Technical Details in On Golden PondDirector/ProducerJCJR Films [25]
2022CommandCar guy (Episode 7)Perri Films [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millville, New Jersey</span> City in Cumberland County, New Jersey, US

Millville is a city in Cumberland County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 27,491, a decrease of 909 (−3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 28,400, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,553 (+5.8%) from the 26,847 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alloway Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Alloway Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,283, a decrease of 184 (−5.3%) from the 2010 census count of 3,467, which in turn reflected an increase of 693 (+25.0%) from the 2,774 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carneys Point Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Carneys Point Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 8,637, an increase of 588 (+7.3%) from the 2010 census count of 8,049, which in turn reflected an increase of 365 (+4.8%) from the 7,684 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mannington Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Mannington Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,475, a decrease of 331 (−18.3%) from the 2010 census count of 1,806, which in turn reflected an increase of 247 (+15.8%) from the 1,559 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldmans Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Oldmans Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 1,910, an increase of 137 (+7.7%) from the 2010 census count of 1,773, which in turn reflected a decline of 25 (−1.4%) from the 1,798 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penns Grove, New Jersey</span> Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Penns Grove is a borough in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,837, a decrease of 310 (−6.0%) from the 2010 census count of 5,147, which in turn reflected an increase of 261 (+5.3%) from the 4,886 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilesgrove Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Pilesgrove Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 4,183, an increase of 167 (+4.2%) from the 2010 census count of 4,016, which in turn reflected an increase of 93 (+2.4%) from the 3,923 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Upper Pittsgrove Township is a township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 3,432, a decrease of 73 (−2.1%) from the 2010 census count of 3,505, which in turn reflected an increase of 37 (+1.1%) from the 3,468 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodstown, New Jersey</span> Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Woodstown is a borough in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,678, an increase of 173 (+4.9%) from the 2010 census count of 3,505, which in turn reflected an increase of 369 (+11.8%) from the 3,136 counted in the 2000 census.

The Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District is a comprehensive regional public school district serving students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade form five communities in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The district serves students from Woodstown and Pilesgrove Township for K-12, along with students from neighboring Alloway Township, Oldmans Township and Upper Pittsgrove Township who attend the district's high school as part of sending/receiving relationships. A majority of public school students in grades 9-12 from Oldmans Township attend Penns Grove High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, with the balance attending Woodstown High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodstown High School</span> High school in Salem County, New Jersey, US

Woodstown High School is a comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Woodstown and Pilesgrove Township, in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as the lone secondary school of the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District.

Today's Sunbeam was a daily newspaper in Salem, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1819, it ceased publication in 2012 when it merged with its sister papers the Gloucester County Times and The News of Cumberland County to form the South Jersey Times.

The Alloway Township School District is a public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade from Alloway Township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

The Oldmans Township School District is a community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Oldmans Township in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

The Upper Pittsgrove School District is a community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade from Upper Pittsgrove Township, in Salem County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levoy Theatre</span> United States historic place

The Levoy Theatre is a 696-seat operational performing arts center located in Millville, Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States.

<i>South Jersey Times</i>

The South Jersey Times is a newspaper serving the South Jersey area of New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut Run Farm</span> American winery located in New Jersey

Chestnut Run Farm is a winery in Pilesgrove Township in Salem County, New Jersey that produces Fuji apple and Asian pear wines. The apple and pear trees were first planted in 1986 as part of a specialty produce farm. Chestnut Run began sales of its wine in 2007, and opened a tasting room in 2012. Chestnut Run has 5 acres of fruit trees under cultivation, and produces 700 cases of wine per year. The winery is named for the Chestnut Run, a stream that borders the farm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salem Branch</span>

The Salem Branch is a rail freight line in the southwestern part of New Jersey in the United States between the Port of Salem and Woodbury Junction where it and the Penns Grove Secondary converge with the Vineland Secondary, approximately 8.5 miles (13.7 km) south of Pavonia Yard in Camden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Cerrito</span> American filmmaker

Mario Cerrito is an American filmmaker, writer and producer most closely associated with the horror genre. He is best known for his film trilogy, Human Hibachi, Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest and Human Hibachi: The Beginning. Each film won a Best Film award at the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival in Atlantic City and were released by Troma Entertainment.

References

  1. Jim Cook Jr., Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
  2. "Journalist Uses Only Facebook To Win Local Election". Huffingtonpost.com. 2012-11-27. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  3. "Army specialist visits alma mater -- Woodstown High". 12 May 2016.
  4. Wehner, Brittany M. "Salem County reflects on life of late Woodstown native, community volunteer Forrest Eichmann", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 7,2015. Accessed February 26, 2023. "Jim Cook Jr., 27, originally from Pilesgrove and 2006 Woodstown graduate, shared some of his favorite memories of Eichmann."
  5. Cook, Jim Jr. "How I won an election by only using Facebook", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 22, 2012. Accessed February 26, 2023. "Thank you for trusting me — a proud 2006 graduate of Woodstown High School — leading in one of the most difficult local elected positions that exist. I feel the Woodstown-Pilesgrove love."
  6. Levoy celebrates grand opening with song, applause Archived 2013-04-11 at archive.today , The Daily Journal.com, Sep 23, 2012
  7. "New Jersey Journalist Uses Only Facebook To Win Local Election". AllFacebook. 2012-11-27. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  8. "Journalist wins school board seat with 24-hour write-in campaign on Facebook". Jimromenesko.Com. 2012-11-26. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  9. New Jersey (22 November 2012). "How I won an election by only using Facebook". NJ.com. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  10. New Jersey. "I Enlisted In The U.S. Army". Jim Cook Jr. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  11. http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2013/03/battling_stray_electricity_set.html , South Jersey Times, March 21, 2013
  12. http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2010/11/millville_native_seeks_justice.html The News of Cumberland County, November 11, 2010
  13. http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/SubtitleSearch.aspx?search=20.50.11.* Maryland: Office of the Secretary of State. 20.50.11.00. Title 20 PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Subtitle 50 SERVICE SUPPLIED BY ELECTRIC COMPANIES Chapter 11 Deanna Camille Green Rule ― Contact Voltage Survey Requirement and Reporting Authority: Public Utilities Article, §2-113, 2-121, 5-101, and 5-303, Annotated Code of Maryland.
  14. http://www.njpa.org/njpa/better_newspaper_contest/2010/2010EditorialResults-Daily.pdf New Jersey Press Association 2010 Better Newspaper Contest results. Editorial, daily.
  15. http://www.njpa.org/njpa/better_newspaper_contest/2010/2010EditorialResults-Daily.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  16. http://www.njpa.org/njpa/better_newspaper_contest/2012/2012EditResults-Daily.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2021-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. https://internationaldocumentaries.com/
  19. "Private Project".
  20. http://www.jcjrfilms/films-1%5B‍%5D The Pocket (2005), JCJR Films, USA.
  21. http://www.jcjrfilms/films-1%5B‍%5D JCJR Films, USA.
  22. http://www.jcjrfilms/films-1%5B‍%5D Prom Etiquette (2013), JCJR Films, USA.
  23. http://www.jcjrfilms/films-1%5B‍%5D The Roommate (2021), JCJR Films, USA.
  24. http://www.jcjrfilms/films-1%5B‍%5D, JCJR Films, USA.
  25. http://www.jcjrfilms/films-1%5B‍%5D, JCJR Films, USA.
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUw6LlkENRQ Command The Series Pitch Video (2021).