I've verified that I have safe_mode = Off in my /etc/php.ini   I've even gone so far as to stick a copy of the php.ini into the directory from where the problem script is running...but I still get errors indicating that safe_mode is on,
 
Im not sure what the difference is between master and local, but if you take a look at my phpinfo, you'll see safe_mode is on localy but off in the master...

http://www.atvpathfinders.net/info.php

does anyone have any insight they may be able to share ?