ActionScript 3.0 :: Creating Visual Timer Using Preloader Technique

I am making a visual timer using a preloader technique where you create a 100 frame animation and some simple math calculations and gotoAndPlay. I've got it working, but once it starts up, it wont play the frames. Just sits there for a second before the timer hits the first tick, then it goes on fine.

Code:
Select allvar seconds_timer:Timer = new Timer(1000); //One Second Delay.
seconds_timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, notifier);
function notifier(event:TimerEvent):void {
var seconds:Number = (seconds_timer.currentCount);
var percent:Number = Math.floor((seconds*100)/speed);
[Code] .....

The speed var is a number that the user sets in the XML config file... I am using this for a slideshow on a client's website. I have a suspicion that the issue is with how I reset the timer and start it again. Is there a better way restart the timer?