About Kadion
Hi, I'm Kadion Phillips.
If you've spent time at our local sports fields or tuned into a town committee meeting, we may have already met. I'm running for the Sturbridge Select Board because I believe that deep roots and active service are the best foundations for leadership — and I've spent years building both here.
Why I'm Running
This isn't about politics. It's about making sure town government works efficiently and in the most fiscally responsible way possible — for every resident, every business, and every family who calls Sturbridge home. Whether you've lived here your whole life or moved here last year, this town should work for you. Long-time residents have built this community and deserve to see their investment honored. Newer residents chose Sturbridge for a reason, and they deserve to feel that choice was the right one. My job, if elected, is to make sure both groups can say with confidence that their local government is showing up for them.
Experience You Can Count On
Leadership is about collaboration. As Chair of the Recreation Committee, Vice Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, Cable Advisory Committee member, and a member of the 250th Anniversary Planning Committee, I've been part of the decisions that shape this town for years. I also coach and serve on the boards of youth soccer, baseball, and basketball — and I've seen firsthand how strong communities are built one relationship at a time. More than 20 years as a teacher, principal, and Director of Technology have given me a deep commitment to accountability and data-driven decision-making. I'm not asking to start serving Sturbridge. I'm asking for the chance to continue.
Join Me on April 13th
A prosperous future for Sturbridge starts with a government that works for all of us. I would be honored to earn your trust — and to help keep Sturbridge moving forward, together.
My Vision for Sturbridge
Fiscal Responsibility
Every dollar must be tied to a clear taxpayer benefit. Keeping our tax rate low is a quality of life commitment — to seniors on fixed incomes and to the young families building their lives here. I fully support our schools, public safety, and all essential town services, but that support must be grounded in fiscal discipline: finding efficiencies, making smart investments, and ensuring every dollar delivers real value. I would look carefully at staffing structures across departments, asking where roles can be combined, where services can be shared regionally, and where outsourcing might deliver the same quality at lower cost. The goal is never to cut for the sake of cutting — it is to make sure every dollar is working as hard as possible for residents.
Transparent, Accessible Government
The question I hear most from neighbors is: how do I find out what's happening in town? Residents need a more useful town website, plain-language budget summaries, and easier ways to watch meetings and get involved. But transparency is also about results — roads maintained, streets plowed and treated promptly, permits for homes and businesses processed quickly and efficiently. Timely, responsive permitting is not a bureaucratic detail — it is an essential service that directly affects homeowners and local businesses. Residents who feel informed trust their government more, and that trust is the foundation for everything else.
Smart Economic Growth
Sturbridge sits at the crossroads of the Mass Pike, I-84, and Route 15 — a geographic advantage most towns would envy. The Route 20 and Route 131 corridors offer immediate opportunity, and Route 15 represents real potential for commercial and mixed-use growth that diversifies our tax base. Any growth strategy must start with protecting our existing local businesses — new development should bring more customers to the businesses already here, not compete with them. Tourism is a cornerstone of our economy: with Old Sturbridge Village, over 50 miles of trails (treksturbridge.org), a thriving restaurant scene, and unique shops, we have extraordinary assets. Town government should be an active partner in amplifying that through Experience Sturbridge and beyond. The upcoming 250th Anniversary celebration is a perfect opportunity to build lasting tourism momentum.
Active Recreation Space for Our Kids
As Chair of the Recreation Committee for 14 years and a coach across three youth sports, I've lived the field shortage firsthand. Teams turn kids away. Families drive out of town for what should be available right here. The town's recent acquisition of the Douty Road property is a real opportunity to finally address this — developing active recreation space that serves all residents, and potentially connecting to our broader trail network. Done right and managed fiscally responsibly, this investment pays dividends for generations.
Safe, Reliable Community Services
Residents need to see government working for them every day. When someone calls 911, fire, EMT, and police response times are not a line item to be trimmed — they are a matter of life and safety. The move toward regional dispatch is exactly the kind of smart, collaborative efficiency I want to bring to the Select Board. Beyond public safety, the services residents depend on — the DPW, the Senior Center, the Library, and the recycling center — must be protected and managed with fiscal discipline. These aren't extras; they are the practical infrastructure of daily life in Sturbridge.
Experience
Town of Sturbridge Boards and Committees
Recreation Committee - Chair (14 years)
Community Preservation Committee - Vice Chair (9 years)
Youth Sports Leadership
Tantasqua Regional Youth Soccer - Coach, Registrar/Travel coordinator (9 years)
Sturbridge Youth Basketball - Coach, Player Agent/ Registrar (7 years)
Upcoming Events
Join me at upcoming campaign events to discuss the issues that matter most to Sturbridge. All events are open to the public.
Sturbridge Candidate Meet & Greet
The Town of Sturbridge is hosting a Meet and Greet for all candidates on the April local election ballot. Hear directly from me and the other candidates about our visions for the town. Bring your questions — and bring a neighbor!
RSVP →Final Rally Before Election Day
Join us for our final campaign rally! Light refreshments will be served. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors as we celebrate our community and get ready for Election Day.
RSVP →Stay Updated!
More events will be added as we get closer to Election Day. Sign up below to get on our email list for event announcements and updates.
Support the Campaign
Your contribution helps us reach more voters and strengthen our community. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference.
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@electkadion
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I'd love to hear from Sturbridge residents — whether you have a question, concern, or suggestion, your voice matters to me.
Election Information
Election Day
Monday, April 13, 2026
Polls Open: 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM
You can cast your vote for Sturbridge Select Board on election day at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. Bring a valid form of ID if you have one, though it is not required in Massachusetts.
Location: Sturbridge Host Hotel
366 Main Street, Sturbridge MA 01566
Absentee Ballots
If you are unable to vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, you may request an absentee ballot from the Sturbridge Town Clerk.
Request an Absentee Ballot →Not Yet Registered?
You must be a registered voter in Sturbridge to participate in the town election. If you're not yet registered or need to update your registration, visit the Town Clerk's office or register online.
Register to Vote →Press & Updates
News coverage, candidate Q&As, and campaign updates.
The Town Minute — Candidate Q&A
Read my full responses to The Town Minute's Select Board candidate Q&A series, covering fiscal responsibility, economic growth, recreation, infrastructure, and what I believe government should look like for every Sturbridge resident.
Read on The Town Minute →Letter to the Editor — Candidate Statement
Sturbridge deserves a Select Board member with a proven record of community service and a clear vision for what comes next. Read my full candidate statement outlining my approach and commitment to this community.
Request a Copy →