Leavenworth ? Leavenworth City Commission voted to remove Mayor Shay Baker from the job after she wrote a letter seeking leniency for a friend who is a convicted drug dealer.

The commission’s vote on Thursday came after an emotional meeting during which several citizens asked that Bray be removed as mayor. Because the mayor is selected from the commission’s five members, rather than elected by citizens, Bray will remain on the commission.

Baker wrote a letter to a federal judge asking for a “reasonable” sentence for Billy Trinkle, a longtime friend who was convicted after being arrested with 42 others in a massive drug bust conducted by federal, state and local authorities.

Federal prosecutors said the drug ring put a significant amount of cocaine on the streets of northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas, including Leavenworth.

Prosecutors said Trinkle, who was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison, bought “distribution quantities” of cocaine. Investigators said they intercepted 45 calls in which Trinkle was engaged in drug trafficking.

Before the council’s vote, Baker apologized, saying she wrote the letter for personal reasons and not as mayor. She also said she did not intend to offend local police or law enforcement officials.

Though she did not use paper with a city letterhead, Baker’s business card, which includes the city’s logo, her City Hall phone number and e-mail, was attached to the letter.

“Never at any time did I intend for this letter to be from anyone but me,” she said. “I apologize if you feel that I have not been a good representative.”

Commissioner Larry Dedeke, a former police officer, said he believed the letter was disrespectful to police officers and citizens.

The letter became part of the public record when it was submitted to the court.

At Thursday’s meeting, resident Aaron Eisenring asked Baker to step down as mayor and commissioner.

“Save us from a recall effort,” Eisenring said.

Others accepted the mayor’s apology.

“She did what she thought at the time was right,” Ernest Evans said. “She had conviction. Frankly, I think that’s a lot more important than whether she used official stationery.”

Baker’s term as mayor was to expire in April 2010. Her commission term expires in 2011.