Flash AS3 - Inaccessible Method

Why is this method inaccessible? My document class (Main) has a public function setButtonStates(). I have a custom class that extends MovieClip that needs to access that function. There are 5 instances of this class on the stage at compile-time (and they are never removed) but the compiler isn't happy. It says "1195 Attempted access of inaccessible method setButtonStates through a reference with static type Main". [more inside]
posted by missmagenta on Jan 9, 2013 - 12 answers