Resolutions, resolutions, resolutions.

        And so it goes as year 2001 comes in. I talked with several people who have New Year's resolutions number one on their agenda.

        Stacy Smith has owned Certified Medical Affiliates , a supply business in the West End, for 11 years.

        She also organized a group of 45 minority businesses three years ago to act as a watchdog on stadium contracts for minorities.

        “We are dissatisfied with the amount of contracts we have been receiving, and we want to see if we can change this,” Ms. Smith said.

        She feels her group has some leverage this year: an executive order signed by President Clinton in October.

        That order directed all federal agencies to increase opportunities for small, disadvantaged businesses in the $200 billion-a-year government contracting marketplace.

        “These businesses are of vital importance to job growth and to the economic strength of the United States, but have faced historic exclusion and underutilization in federal procurement,” Mr. Clinton said when he signed the order.

        The president's order directed federal procurement authorities to develop a long-term plan to expand opportunities.

        “The order speaks for itself,” Ms. Smith said. “I think it is going to be up to us as a group to make sure it is carried out.”

        NORTH COLLEGE HILL — Tom Fisher of Bobolink Drive is worried about what impact the national election confusion may have on voter apathy.

        Mr. Fisher has resolved to promote voter registration and voting, something he says he has been doing since age 13 in Meridian, Miss.

        “One thing that has upset me all my life is to hear people say they will not vote because their vote will not count,” Mr. Fisher said. “I am so afraid that after the stuff was pulled in Florida and the U.S. Supreme Court that a lot of people are going to get back into that apathy and not vote.”

        Even though there is no election anytime soon, Mr. Fisher has a sign in his yard now about voting.

        Elsie Williams, founder and owner of Fairfield Hospel, a nursing and rehabilitation center, has resolved to increase her caseload from 13 to 45 people.

        “We are a nonprofit organization that provides a home for those who need a second chance,” Mrs. Williams said.

        She has operated the home at 1804 Kinney Ave., Evanston, for two years. Mrs Williams said people live there free until they can get themselves straightened out.

        “We survive on donations and some of our own money,” she said.

        Call 751-7200 for more information.

        Allen Howard's column runs on Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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