Each of you touched on items that were a part of the problem.
Looking at the script with the perspective you provided, I was able to work through this. The behavior I see now is much more in line with what was intended. Thanks very much.
Learning that commenting a line of Tcl code does not necessarily inhibit the interpreter from seeing reserved characters or expressions was very helpful.
Also, as always in my work, I end up finding an additional paren or bracket.
Thanks again,
Keith