Thanks for the response. I'm not sure posting the code would help because the code I'm writing is timeline based. I am pretty sure I am not referencing an object that isn't on the timeline. In usage, all my assets have at least one usage count.
I've also tried data typing all my clips and buttons, but that doesn't seem to make a difference.
An earlier version of this part of my project is working perfectly; only when try to incorporate it into the larger file am I getting stuck with the dreaded #1009